Sustainable and Advanced Techniques for Uranium Recovery in New types of Exploitations – SATURNE

In the context of climate change, the commitment of 22 countries, including France, to triple nuclear energy production by 2050 requires some new accesses to resources. The focus then shifts to the importance of uranium supply, especially for France, and Orano's role in managing the entire fuel cycle. The proposal explores the growing demand for uranium, driven by various extraction methods, with a focus on In-Situ Recovery (ISR) techniques and proposes some Enhanced In Situ Recovery methods to develop (E-ISR).
The passage delves into the challenges and opportunities presented by complex uranium formations, emphasizing the need for innovative recovery methods. The securement of uranium supply is highlighted as crucial for Orano's competitiveness on a global scale but for France and Europe too.
The State of the Art section examines uranium recovery methods, emphasizing the complexities of less permeable sandstone environments and multi-porosity conditions. The text discusses variations in recovery rates, particularly in fractured geological formations like those in Niger. It also explores challenges in Canadian deposits, with high-grade uranium trapped in weakly permeable areas.
The Objectives section outlines the project's work packages, involving research components on analyzing recoveries, developing research activities, integrating processes at the core sample scale, and transferring results to operations.
In conclusion, the project aims to develop novel techniques for uranium recovery, particularly in complex reservoirs, with a strong emphasis on geological analysis, modeling, and collaboration with Orano to ensure success.