UNEC E Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) to Uranium and Thorium Resources Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classication Resources to Uranium and Thorium This publication provides non-mandatory guidance for the application of the United Nations Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) to uranium and thorium resources. These guidelines are intended to assist all those responsible for nding, classifying, quantifying, nancing, permitting, mining, and processing these minerals so that they are t to enter the nuclear fuel cycle. UNFC, which has been developed by the Expert Group on Resource Classication of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), applies to all energy and raw material worldwide. UNFC can be applied fully to the sustainable development of uranium and thorium resources. Application of UNFC involves the use of UNFC incorporating Specications for its Application (ECE Energy Series No. 42 and ECE/ENERGY/94). A Bridging Document exists between UNFC and the 'Red Book' – the uranium classication system of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Bridging Document facilitates the mapping of results between UNFC and the NEA/IAEA resources reporting scheme. This publication provides detailed guidelines on the UNFC principles and the uranium and thorium specications to Uranium and Thorium Resources Application of the United Nations provided through the bridging document that should be considered in classication and reporting of uranium and thorium resources. Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) Guidelines for Information Service United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 55UNECE Energy Series UNIT Palais des Nations CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland E D Telephone: +41(0)22 917 44 44 E-mail: [email protected] N A Website: http://www.unece.org TION S UNEC E Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) to Uranium and Thorium Resources Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classication Resources to Uranium and Thorium This publication provides non-mandatory guidance for the application of the United Prepared by the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification Nations Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) to uranium and thorium ENERGY SERIES No 55 resources. These guidelines are intended to assist all those responsible for nding, classifying, quantifying, nancing, permitting, mining, and processing these minerals so that they are t to enter the nuclear fuel cycle. UNFC, which has been developed by the Expert Group on Resource Classication of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), applies to all energy and raw material worldwide. UNFC can be applied fully to the sustainable development of uranium and thorium resources. Application of UNFC involves the use of UNFC incorporating Specications for its Application (ECE Energy Series No. 42 and ECE/ENERGY/94). A Bridging Document exists between UNFC and the 'Red Book' – the uranium classication system of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Bridging Document facilitates the mapping of results between UNFC and the NEA/IAEA resources reporting scheme. This publication provides detailed guidelines on the UNFC principles and the uranium and thorium specications to Uranium and Thorium Resources Application of the United Nations provided through the bridging document that should be considered in classication and reporting of uranium and thorium resources. Framework Classication for Resources (UNFC) Guidelines for Information Service United Nations Economic Commission for Europe 55UNECE Energy Series UNIT Palais des Nations CH - 1211 Geneva 10, Switzerland E D Telephone: +41(0)22 917 44 44 E-mail: [email protected] N A Website: http://www.unece.org TION S NEW YORK AND GENEVA, 2017 UNECE Note The designations employed and the presentation of the material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Mention of any firm, licensed process or commercial products does not imply endorsement by the United Nations. ECE/ENERGY/111 UNITED NATIONS PUBLICATION Sales No. E.18.II.E.2 ISBN 978-92-1-117148-8 eISBN 978-92-1-362897-3 ISSN 1014-7225 Copyright © 2017, United Nations All rights reserved worldwide United Nations publication issued by the Economic Commission for Europe (ECE) Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to Uranium and Thorium Resources Foreword Attaining the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is heavily dependent on the availability of and access to significant quantities of sustainable energy and raw materials. The United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) is a sustainable resource management tool that is applicable to minerals, energy resources, renewable energy, injection projects for geological storage and anthropogenic resources. Energy resources such as uranium and thorium are important for energy security and for low carbon energy production globally. While uranium and thorium are important low carbon energy fuels, the geological resources of both are usually associated with other valuable strategic materials. It is imperative that the resources be estimated, classified, assessed and managed within a standard framework that applies to all energy and raw material resources. This document for application of UNFC to uranium and thorium resources has been developed to provide non-mandatory guidance for the sustainable management of uranium and thorium resources. These guidelines are intended to assist all those responsible for finding, classifying, quantifying, financing, permitting, mining, and processing these minerals so that they are fit to enter the nuclear fuel cycle. As a living document, the guidelines will be subject to ongoing review and update. Users of these guidelines are invited to share their experience in using them with the Expert Group on Resource Classification of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE). The guidelines were developed by the Working Group on Application of UNFC to Nuclear Fuel Resources of the Expert Group under the leadership and support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). I commend all those involved in the preparation and review of these Guidelines. I also thank IAEA for its continued engagement in and support of our important work on resource classification. Olga ALGAYEROVA Executive Secretary United Nations Economic Commission for Europe i UNECE Acknowledgements The Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources to Uranium and Thorium Resources have been developed by the Working Group on the Application of UNFC to Nuclear Fuel Resources led by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The Working Group reports to the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification. The leadership and support of IAEA in the development of this document is acknowledged with sincere appreciation and thanks. The contributors and reviewers involved are: Mr. Andrew Barrett, Geoscience Australia, Australia; Mr. Luis López, National Atomic Energy Commission, Argentina; Mr. Roberto Villas-Bôas, Center of Mineral Technology, Brazil; Mr. Li Shengxiang , China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China; Mr. Yu Hengxu, China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), China; Mr. A. K. Sarangi, Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL), India; Mr. P.S. Parihar, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), India; Ms. Ayim Sabyrovna Mukusheva, JSC “NAC” Kazatomprom”, Kazakhstan; Mr. Cassius Chiwambo, Ministry of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Malawi; Mr. Tunde Arisekola, Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA), Nigeria; Mr. Bradley S. Van Gosen, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), United States; Ms. Susan Hall, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), United States; Mr. James Ross, Ross Petroleum, United Kingdom; Mr. Paul Bankes, Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO), Canada; Mr. Julian Hilton, Aleff Group, United Kingdom; Mr. Sigurd Heiberg, Petronavit a.s, Norway; Mr. David MacDonald, Chairman of the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification & BP, United Kingdom; Ms. Adrienne Hanly, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); Mr. Harikrishnan Tulsidas, ECE; and, Ms. Charlotte Griffiths, ECE. Independent reviews were provided by: Mr. Jean-René Blaise, Independent Consultant, France (on behalf of the Technical Advisory Group of the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification), and Mr. Roger Dixon, CRIRSCO (on behalf of the Technical Advisory Group of the ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification). The ECE Expert Group on Resource Classification, the Bureau of the Expert Group and the Technical Advisory Group are also acknowledged and thanked for their comments and suggestions throughout the preparation of these guidelines. ii Guidelines for Application of the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources (UNFC) to Uranium and Thorium Resources iii UNECE Contents FOREWORD ..............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................