https://www.mining-technology.com/projects/kvanefjeld-rare-earth-uranium-project/As Uranium starts to explode
Kvanefjeld Rare Earth – Uranium ProjectGreenland Minerals and Energy's (GMEL) flagship Kvanefjeld Rare Earth - Uranium Project is located within the municipality of Kujalleq, approximately 8km from the town of Narsaq, and 35km from Narsarsuaq, in southern Greenland.
OwnerGreenland Minerals and Energy (GMEL)
LocationSouthern Greenland
ReservesProven and Probable: 108Mt
Mine Life37 years initially
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Share ArticleGreenland Minerals and Energy’s (GMEL) flagship Kvanefjeld Rare Earth – Uranium Project is located within the municipality of Kujalleq, approximately 8km from the town of Narsaq, and 35km from Narsarsuaq, in southern Greenland.
The project’s pre-feasibility study was completed in May 2012, whereas the feasibility study was completed in May 2015.
Construction works are expected to start following the grant of certain regulatory approvals, which include the application for mining licence EL 2010/02, which is anticipated in early-2016.
The overall investment in the project is estimated to reach $1.36bn, which could further reduce as a result of the optimisation studies being conducted. The project is expected to generate 1,171 construction jobs and 787 jobs during operations.
The rare earth mine is estimated to have an initial production life of 37 years, based on an ore processing rate of three million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).
The project is expected to produce a mixed critical rare earth concentrate, including neodymium, praseodymium, europium, dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium, as well as by-products including triuranium octoxide (U₃O₈
, lanthanum and cerium products, zinc concentrate and fluorspar.
Geology and mineralisationThe Kvanefjeld mine is located within the northern Illimaussaq Intrusive Complex, a layered peralkaline intrusive body (Mesoproterozoic in age) measuring approximately 8km x 15km. It hosts three deposits namely Kvanefjeld, Sørensen and Zone 3.
The complex hosts an unusual rock-type called lujavrite. The rare earth elements (REEs) and uranium are primarily hosted in an unusual phosphor-silicate mineral called steenstrupine within the upper sections of the lujavrite.
