UNDERGROUND URANIUM MINING

 Uranium is located by drilling. Available views of a drill rig and associated closeups explain the drilling process. The delineation process for a uranium ore body is a lengthy one involving the drilling of numerous holes.

The holes are geophysically logged, usually for gamma, resistivity and SP. The gamma log is interpreted to determine the thickness, average grade, depth to top of ore and G.T. (grade-thickness) value for the hole. This information is used to compute ore reserves. The gamma log measures radiation produced not by uranium itself, but rather by its decay products. In computing ore reserves from gamma log data it is assumed that a state of equilibrium exists between the uranium and its decay products. This is not always the case. Coring must also be done and the cores tested chemically for uranium to confirm the gamma log data. Fresh core is examined in the field and the geological data is used to construct a three dimensional model of the uranium deposit. (Photographs courtesy of Kennecott Uranium Company and U.S. Energy Corp.) Once delineated, uranium reserves are accessed via mine portals. Portals can be dug with continous miners. which are large pieces of equipment capable of digging mine tunnels.
SCHWARTZWALDE R MINE SCHWARTZWALDER MINE
Tunnels can also be dug "by hand" as the miners in the photographs above are doing. (Photographs courtesy of Cotter Corporation).
JACKPOT MINE As they are driven, tunnels have to be supported and the workers protected from falling rock. Chain link fencing material can be used for ths purpose as shown in the photograph in the upper right. This photograph to the left is from a Riverton Ranger article on the Jackpot Mine. The miner to the left in the photograph is George Smith of U.S. Energy Corp.
Before powered haulage was available, animals did the pulling underground as this photograph to the left attests. This photograph to the right is courtesy of John Hamrick of UMETCO Minerals Corporation and was part of a presentation on naturally occurring radioactive material given at a meeting of NRC staff and uranium recovery licensees in Denver, Colorado on June 4, 1998. UMETCO
These photographs are courtesy of Cotter Corporation, Kennecott Uranium Company, U.S. Energy Corp. and the Riverton Ranger.