CONTENTS. Introduction. Cutting-edge mining technologies Our experts at your side Tools tailored to each task

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1 sepa 1

2 COTETS Introduction Cutting-edge mining technologies Our experts at your side Tools tailored to each task Ore processing rocesses that meet demanding standards Missions Key figures Chemistry Uranium: a key source of future energy Mining SEA s activities outside the Mining Business Group Missions Environment Solutions based on know-how rotecting the environment Missions Geosciences Locating uranium deposits Missions Expertise and technology: from analysis to testing

3 Sepa Cutting-edge technologies The SEA (Service d Études, de rocédés et Analyses), is an engineering department specializing in the analysis and processing of uranium ore. It comes from a long tradition of mining in France that began sixty-five years ago with the French Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) and that has been carried on by COGEMA and then AREVA. SEA brings a combination of experience and excellence to its activities thanks to its multidisciplinary staff (mineralogists, chemists, mechanical engineers, instrumentation specialists ), who come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Today, the SEA draws on its wealth of know-how and expertise to devise and develop new methods for processing and valorizing ores everywhere in the world. Its mission is to: Develop and conduct laboratory tests on methods for processing uranium and other valuable elements such as molybdenum, vanadium, rare earths, niobium, tantalum and thorium. Analyze ores obtained during prospecting at locations all over the world Serve as an advisor in the commissioning of AREVA industrial units and ore processing plants erform environmental analyses during the full period of mining operations Conduct audits and provide advice on processes and analysis methods Carry out research and development in all aspects of minerals treatment (including the filing of patents) The SEA combines experience, skills and a global approach to technologies used in ore processing. Its role is to continually improve the processes for extracting, processing and valorizing ores while protecting the environment. Our experts at your side The SEA has a staff of eighty people, including 20 French and foreign engineers, based at Bessines-sur-Gartempe, in southwestern France, who define and implement innovative and sustainable mining solutions. Tools tailored to each task The SEA is an engineering and consulting center that allies cutting-edge technologies with efficient performance to deliver outstanding services. It transfers competencies and provides support in the commissioning of ore processing plants. The SEA is organized in several entities: The engineering section is staffed by a group of project managers who meet clients requirements using a comprehensive approach, drawing on their own expertise and the capabilities of SEA s other three entities to manage projects. The test laboratory studies, develops and optimizes ore processing methods and chemical treatments of uranium at bench top scale. The industrial pilot unit tests and validates the methods developed in the test laboratory on an industrial scale operated continuously. It also helps determine the dimensions of industrial installations in relation to field conditions. The analysis laboratory (COFRAC and ISO certified, ministry approved) can perform a full range of analyses in the areas of mineral and organic chemistry, uranium concentrates, and the environment (water and sediments, plant and animal life, ores, etc.). Values Commitment: we establish close relations of trust with operators Attentiveness: we make clients needs and expectations our central concern Active and Responsive Service: we guarantee it, whether in conducting studies, developing processes, or commissioning industrial units Training: we train plant and laboratory personnel as well as analysts to meet your needs

4 Ore processing The energy of innovation Laboratory and pilot tests, definition of efficient processes rocesses that meet demanding standards Ore processing is a key aspect of uranium mining. SEA s engineers and technicians work on a variety of processing methods in our test laboratories: Mechanical treatment: crushing, grinding, classification hysical enrichment: flotation, gravimetric and radiometric sorting Liquid solid separation Leaching (acid, alkaline, pressurized or with oxidants) urification and concentration (through ion exchange or solvent extraction) recipitation Treatment of effluents and residues ilot tests are performed on some or all of the sequences of these processes, which include solid-liquid separation, purification with ion exchange resins (or solvent), precipitation, dissolution and thermal treatment, among others. The pilot tests serve to certify a process or piece of equipment and determine the data needed for the basic engineering of industrial installations. The SEA looks for and defines the best process for valorizing a deposit. Its missions: ropose, devise, improve and test processes Conduct continual tests on an appropriate scale on the pilot installation Determine the dimensions of future processing facilities and provide support to the operator

5 Key figures THE SEA S IVOLVEMET I THE ROCESSIG OERA- TIOS COSISTED OF: 20 weeks of solvent pilot tests (1 liter/hour to several hundred liters/hour) 20 weeks of ore processing pilot tests (columns of 1 to 10 meters) Engineering examples 15 weeks of resin pilot tests (200 ml to several liters) Canada - Cigar Lake Dynamic leaching of very-high-grade ores Definition of the methods for ore process and effluents and residues treatment. Commissioning of the McClean Lake mill in 1999 Kazakhstan In situ leaching (injection wells and processing of the recovered solution) ilot installation in rocess studies and assistance in start up of two mills, at Muyunkum (2005) and Tortkuduk (2007) Mongolia In situ leaching ilot installation in 2010 iger - Imouraren Heap leaching Definition of the ore processing method and the set up of a pilot installation in iger in 2007 An engineering office and mechanical and electrical workshops design and construct the specially adapted equipment. They determine where the equipment will be installed for each pilot test and participate in the operation. If requested by the client, the engineering office can do the engineering for small industrial units. 5

6 Uranium chemistry An expert in uranium Uranium: a key future source of energy The SEA continually seeks innovations to better process and valorize uranium and thus help to satisfy the sharply rising global demand for energy. Each new project is a technological challenge, and each process calls for tailored solutions. The mining activity includes: 1 Hydrometallurgy/uranium chemistry : separation and recovery of metals from process solutions (SX: solvents, IX: resins) and precipitation 2 Valorization of by-products with potential economic values (e.g. molybdenum, vanadium, etc.) Analysis of process solutions Chemical stabilization of mining residues SEA activities outside the Mining Business Group are: 1 urification and uranium chemistry; pilot testing of real uranium process solution (a rare competency anywhere in the world) 2 Optimization of processes for treating liquid effluents containing uranium, radium, thorium, arsenic, etc. SEA continually strives to implement innovative processes for valorizing and processing ores and solutions. Missions: rocessing: purification of solutions Analysis recipitation of uranium in all its forms

7 Uranium case studies Key figure Authorized nuclear materials Maximum reception capacity: Uranium: 10 tons Thorium: 00 kg iger Somair Development of new extractants and schemas increasing the capacity of the solvent extraction plant France Fluid bed development A new precipitation technology that doubles yellowcake density Kazakhstan Online analysis A SEA-developed method of analyzing uranium-bearing solutions directly on the production line without adding a reagent, thus allowing realtime monitoring France Development of the TAO project roduction of lead-212 isotope for radiotheraphy 7

8 The mining environment A responsible activity During all mining operations Solutions supported by know-how The SEA is based at a former mining site in France, a location that strengthens its environmental expertise. The many studies carried out at Bessines since the mine closure in 1995, along with the local mining heritage, have enabled the SEA to acquire essential know-how in the management of the complete uranium mining cycle. Actions taken by SEA to protect the environment are: Sample analyses in the environmental monitoring of former French mining sites (radiological and physical-chemical measurements on water, soil, and plant and animal life) Contributions to improving the processes (chemical and passive) for treating mine waters at disused French mines Research and development on new processes for treating mine waters in cooperation with the R&D Department of the Mining BG Auditing of outside laboratories that analyze environmental samples Treatment of residues Environmental analyses before, during and after mining operations articipation in setting French radioactivity standards The SEA uses its expertise to ensure the sustainable development of mining activities. It works with the International Mine Remediation Department (DIAM) to monitor former mining sites. 8

9 oint of view Director of the International Mine Remediation Department SEA plays an essential role for us by analyzing the mine waters at our former operations. In addition, its studies, tests and reports help us improve treatment processes. Envionmental case studies Its audits enable us to improve our performance and always to be in compliance with regulations. It also trains our personnel in water sampling and treatment techniques. SEA is definitely an efficient entity possessing both experience and expertise. France Cellier Lozère Implementation of a passive water treatment system using a limestone drain. receded by the definition of drain dimensions. Followed by the monitoring of the installations by the International Mine Remediation Department Kazakhstan Mongolia Tortkuduk Dulaan Uul, etc. Environmental analyses before the startup of mining activities Key figures Between 5,000 and 10,000 samples taken each year for environmental analyses France - Augères Optimization of water treatment stations SEA is committed to taking all actions necessary to permanently minimize the impact of mining activities on the environment. Missions: Environmental analyses before, during and after mining operations Studies and research on processing residues Water treatment at mines: studies, research and monitoring 9

10 Exploration analyses Breaking down the ore Déterminer la présence d un gisement d Uranium Sample preparation, analysis, and control of results The SEA precisely determines the concentrations of chemical elements in the samples it receives with the following steps: Analysis of the crystal structure of the samples (XRD) Mechanical preparation: crushing, grinding, classification, porphyrization hysical-chemical and radioactivity analyses of the samples Cross-checking of the results of the analysis methods Control of the results (COFRAC-accredited) Delivery of the results to the geologists databases in directly exploitable files The SEA s activities also include auditing, assisting, training and monitoring laboratories to which the preparation and analysis of samples are outsourced. The SEA receives samples from all over the world. Service The analyses performed depend on the clients requirements and the specific nature of the geological samples. Before the analyses are done, a study in relation to the ore s origin is always proposed. Missions: repare and analyze samples Determine the ore grade Supply results that meet international standards with a view to possible future mining 10

11 oint of view Exploration analyses examples Mineralogical Department We regularly study samples coming from different subsidiaries and projects across the globe (Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Canada, Argentina, etc.). From time to time we ask the SEA to do additional analyses, and they always provide us with high-quality data that are delivered rapidly. These results are then combined with field observations and microscopic studies before being included in client reports. Key figures Each year: iger Imouraren Equilibrium ratio (U/eRa) - 5 elements analyzed Gabon Mabounié Discovery and demonstration of interference by rare earths on uranium measurement amibia Trekkopje Equilibrium ratio (U/eRa) 0,000 samples from around the globe are processed 500,000 analyses are performed U/eRa equilibrium ratio: 15,000 samples/year Uranium: 250 physical-chemical analyses/year Expertise and technology: from analysis to testing The SEA s resources, both human (engineers and technicians) and technological, make a valuable contribution to the exploration for new mining resources: Test laboratory: sampling chain Analysis laboratory: chemical and radioactivity preparation chain, automated sample preparation; IC-MS, IC-OES, gamma spectrometry, and XRF analyses 11

12 AREVA supplies solutions for power generation with less carbon. Its expertise and unwavering insistence on safety, security, transparency and ethics are setting the standard, and its responsible development is anchored in a process of continuous improvement. Ranked first in the global nuclear power industry, AREVA s unique integrated offering to utilities covers every stage of the fuel cycle, nuclear reactor design and construction, and related services. The group is also expanding its operations to renewable energies wind, solar, bioenergies, and storage to be one of the leaders in this sector worldwide. With these two major offers, AREVA s 7,000 employees are helping to supply ever safer, cleaner and more economical energy to the greatest number of people. Conception : Agence CWA Crédits photos : AREVA, Laurent BLASZCZYK, Jean-Michel ERICAT, Delphine ouliquen, aolo VERZOE AREVA 12 MIES Etablissement de Bessines - 2, route de Lavaugrasse Bessines-sur-Gartempe