Change in impurities observed during the refining and conversion processes

In 2009 the Canadian Safeguards Support Program undertook a sampling campaign to follow a batch of UOC feed material through the refining and conversion processes at Cameco Corporation's Blind River and Port Hope facilities. A total of 59 samples were taken in three categories as follows; sixteen UOC samples, twenty-two samples during the conversion of UOC to UO3, and twenty- one samples during the conversion of UO3 to UF6. Samples were analyzed for trace element content by ICPMS, uranium and lead isotope ratios by MC-ICP-MS and hydrogen and oxygen isotope rat ios by IRMS techniques. The analytical results have been examined to find the extent to which trace element levels and isotopic compositions change at the various processing steps. Both national forensics organisations and IAEA safeguards are interested in characterising these materials. Initial results were presented at the ESARDA 2011 meeting in Budapest, but the data was incomplete and the results from different laboratories were inconsistent. This paper will provide an update on our findings.