The Modernization of the High-Grade Uranium Leaching Process in AREVA’s McClean Lake Plant
AREVA Resources McClean Lake uranium plant has been modernized and re-commissioned since 2015 processing high-grade uranium ore from Cameco Cigar Lake Mine site. The modernized acid-leaching circuit is the first hydrometallurgical process in the plant and also one of the most imperative circuits to operate in terms of radiation and chemical safety. This presentation gives a brief overview of acid leaching ore from the Cigar Lake Mine site and discusses the challenges that have surfaced since the start-up on processing Cigar Lake ore, the mitigation approaches through process of continuous improvement, and the balance between plant safety and production efficiency.
Lisa Renaud is a Metallurgist with Areva Resources Canada working on continuous improvement and re-commissioning of the plant. Lisa has been working with Areva since 2014. Lisa graduated from Laurentian University in 2011 with a Masters of Applied Science in Mineral Resource Engineering and a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering. Previous to Areva, Lisa worked as an Associate Metallurgist at XPS Consulting and Testwork Services.
Brendan Holaday is a Metallurgist with Areva Resources Canada at the McClean Lake operation and has been with the company since 2016. Brendan graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a Bachelor of Chemical Engineering in 2009. Previous to Areva Resources Canada, Brendan worked for Cameco at the Rabbit Lake Operation.
