enCore Energy's Prompt Fission Neutron is a hole-logging technology used for assaying uranium mineralization around a borehole. PFN technologies have played an important part in discovering, and bringing to production, some of the best uranium deposits in the world.
enCore Energy Photo
For years, the primary method of uranium logging has been the detection of gamma radiation, however, a conventional gamma log of a formation in disequilibrium will produce an incorrect estimate of the uranium in the deposit. PFN technology solves this issue by instead using neutron activation to detect uranium in drill holes. The recovery and analysis of core samples is both expensive and time consuming and often is used only to confirm the presence of uranium indicated by significant natural gamma radiation.
For more, see the video in link below by enCore President Will Sheriff.
Why Is It A Competitive Advantage?
The use and ownership of PFN technology provides enCore with a clear competitive advantage by providing the ability to perform real-time assays for uranium that cannot be achieved using conventional logging, coring, and assay methods. This technology is unavailable to many other uranium exploration and development companies.
The PFN equipment and supporting technology owned by enCore includes:Associated proprietary intellectual property, including all internal details of the tools, circuit board diagrams, firmware code, software, manuals and instructions.
The sole right to utilize the license of the PFN technology globally.
PFN downhole wireline probes.
- Gamma downhole wireline probes with single point resistivity, spontaneous potential and deviation.
- Heavy-duty logging trucks with logging and associated equipment.
- Power supplies, computers, communication equipment, and other technology.
How Does it Work?
The PFN tool creates very fast neutrons (14MeV) and fires 108 neutrons per second into the formation. The neutrons emitted by the PFN tool excite, at an atomic level, in-situ uranium atoms surrounding the drill hole, inducing fission creating fast (epithermal) neutrons and slow (thermal) neutrons. The ratio of epithermal to thermal neutrons is specific for uranium, allowing the U3O8 ore grade to be accurately calculated. This provides a relatively inexpensive and instantaneous means to accurately assay in-situ ore grades over large areas, and allows for accurate orebody mapping, resource estimation, and wellfield planning.
enCore Energy is ready to serve the nuclear-power revolution by providing the fuel to drive it in the field and in support of the local communities (more).
Many of enCore Energy projects are located in rural communities where job opportunities are often scarce. Historically, these communities have been overlooked, even when there is a high demand for jobs. EnCore is committed to changing this narrative by providing educational tools and job opportunities, encouraging students to build strong career paths in various sectors of the nuclear power industry.
Drawing people with experience in uranium production, petrochemical processing, and oil and gas drilling operations is a challenge and finding these people in small, rural communities where we work is an even bigger one. There is a need to build the next generation of industry leaders within these rural communities and build future leaders while providing economic prosperity to these areas, allowing residents the option to work near home.
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