what is a product of the uranium milling process

The primary product of the uranium milling process is yellowcake (U₃O₈), a concentrated uranium powder used in nuclear fuel production.

Steps in Uranium Milling & Key Products:
1. Crushing & Grinding – Ore is broken down into smaller particles.
2. Leaching – Uranium is dissolved using acid (H₂SO₄) or alkaline solutions.
3. Extraction & Purification – Solvent extraction or ion exchange removes impurities.
4. Precipitation – Uranium is precipitated yellowcake (U₃O₈) or sometimes as ammonium diuranate [(NH₄)₂U₂O₇].

Secondary Byproducts:
– Tailings (waste rock and residual liquids) containing traces of uranium, radium, and other radioactive elements, which must be managed safely.

Yellowcake is further processed into UF₆ (uranium hexafluoride) for enrichment to make nuclear reactor fuel or weapons-grade material.

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