Phosphate rocks, renowned for their critical role in fertilizer production, also represent one of the largest unconventional uranium reserves worldwide. The uranium contained within these rocks is naturally concentrated during the processing of phosphate ore into phosphoric acid, creating a significant opportunity for its recovery. Uranium recoverable from phosphoric acid represents a global resource estimated at 7.5kt in 2024 and up to 12 kt from 2030.
Historically, the recovery of uranium from phosphoric acid was successfully implemented, particularly in the United States, where operations thrived until the early 1990s. However, the sharp decline in uranium prices led to the discontinuation of these activities, leaving this potential resource largely untapped for decades, thus wasting tens’ of thousand tons of uranium.
Since 1990, uranium demand has been increased by 55%, and is expected to grow an additional 28% in the next 5 years. In the meantime, Uranium price has been multiplied by 4 (from 1990 to 2024) creating the best condition for uranium valorisation, leveraging gap supply, growing demand and uranium prices.
Since 2014, Orano Mining CIME (Innovation Center for Extractive Metallurgy) has been developing an innovative solvent process to extract uranium from phosphoric acid. This process, known as the DEHCNPB process, was patented in 2013. This cutting-edge approach is designed to drastically reduce both operating and capital costs compared to historical practices, while offering a sustainable, and economically viable solution for the industry.
The DEHCNPB process aims to be integrated into existing phosphoric acid production plants at a strategic stage, where uranium is in solution and phosphate content is most diluted. Currently in the industrialization phase in cooperation with a key player in phosphoric acid production, this innovative process generates renewed interest in uranium recovery, as it adapts to existing production conditions without impacting phosphoric acid quality or plant productivity. Furthermore, unlocking these unconventional resources is achieved with a minimal carbon footprint and significantly reduced time to market compared to conventional uranium mining and production. Benefiting from Orano Mining industrial know-how, the uranium is precipitated in the form of yellowcake compliant to international standards such as ASTM, ready to be sold to serve low carbon energy production.