White Mesa Uranium Mill Upgrades

CLIENT: Denison Mines

LOCATION:  South East Utah

Fee: $5 Million

PROJECT SCHEDULE: 1 Year

After several years of minimal operation and no maintenance, Denison Mines elected to upgrade and restart the White Mesa facility. PSE was contracted to assist with three main components of the upgrade: the modification of the existing uranium mill, the mitigation of vanadium dust/fumes, and the design of an alternative feedstock processing system. In addition, PSE designed three containment areas: sodium chlorate containment, solvent extraction and raffinate tank containment.

As part of the uranium mill modification, PSE engineered the replacement of uranium circuit clarifier and raffinate tanks, created the new design of tanks, pumps, conveyors, filter presses, and agitators.

The mitigation of vanadium dust/fumes required replacement of vanadium solvent extraction tanks, re-design of vanadium fume exhaust system, and the implementation of a new scrubber for external exhaust at the facility. 

PSE also engineered an alternative steam sparging for the feedstock processing system.  

PSE was also responsible for: electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, motor control centers, instrumentation specification and purchasing physical layout,  drawings, lighting and grounding design drawings, P&ID diagrams, operating and interlock description, automated PLC controls with HMI calibration and field check-out, and designing a drum dump machine.  

As the project entered construction, PSE prepared of tank specifications and requests for quotes, reviewing and evaluating vendor proposals, and oversaw construction management.