Uranium mining

Uranium mining extracts uranium-bearing material from the Earth through surface, underground, or in-situ methods. The ore is processed into concentrate, usually uranium oxide, for conversion and further use.

Open-pit mining: A surface-mining method that removes overburden to expose and extract ore from a large excavation. It is used where uranium deposits lie near the surface.
Uranium: A naturally occurring radioactive chemical element with atomic number 92. Its distinctive chemistry and radioactivity define the target resource.
Uranium milling: A process that crushes and chemically treats uranium ore to produce uranium concentrate. Conventional mines commonly send ore to mills for concentration.
Uranium mine reclamation: The rehabilitation and long-term stabilization of land disturbed by uranium mining. Mine closure must address contaminated sites and continuing environmental risks.
Uranium recycling: The recovery and reuse of uranium from used nuclear fuel or other uranium-bearing materials. It can supply uranium without extracting new ore.
Underground mining: A mining method that reaches ore through shafts, tunnels, and underground workings. It accesses uranium deposits too deep for practical surface extraction.
Uranium ore: Rock or sediment containing uranium minerals at concentrations that may permit extraction. Mining begins by identifying and extracting this uranium-bearing material.
Uranium conversion: The chemical transformation of uranium concentrate into compounds suitable for enrichment or other uses. It prepares mine output for downstream fuel production.
Radon: A naturally occurring radioactive gas produced by the decay of uranium and radium. Underground uranium workings can expose workers to elevated radon.
Uranium exploration: The search and evaluation of geological areas that may contain uranium deposits. Exploration identifies potential resources before extraction begins.

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