Uranium Corporation announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Mine Waste Solutions, has commissioned its tailings storage facility, one month ahead of schedule, while production of yellow-cake from the re-commissioned uranium plant has commenced at the Ezulwini Mine.

First Uranium’s President and CEO, Deon van der Mescht, said, “The commissioning of the new TSF is a major milestone as it secures the future of the MWS project, allowing it to re-treat 15 tailings dams for the gold and uranium content over the 15 year life of the operation".

The ability to re-treat the historical tailings dams also secures significant social benefits, which will accrue to the surrounding community. The removal of these old dumps will reduce the salt load on the Vaal River by up to 50% compared to current levels. Additionally, the removal of gold and uranium as well as other sources of pollution will improve the quality of the groundwater, while rehabilitation of the associated footprint areas will realize land that can be utilized for alternative sustainable development initiatives such as housing, industrial development and grazing.

Mr. van der Mescht added, “The commissioning of the new life of mine TSF enables the 3rd gold module at MWS to commence gold production and, whilst some commissioning components remain, the project is fundamentally complete and we can look forward to an incrementally lowered risk as well as low cost returns as MWS’s track record has already proven”.

The 15 dormant tailings dams are spread over an area of roughly 300 square kilometres, and their eventual retreatment will contribute significantly to the environmental clean-up of the area.

Ezulwini Mine

In March 2011, it was announced that First Uranium had commenced the re-commissioning of the Ezulwini Mine’s uranium plant on schedule following the modification program on the Ion Exchange (“IX”) columns. During the period of refurbishment, the Company has upgraded and modified elements of the plant design, aimed at improving performance to achieve better recovery rates. The Company re-commenced yellow cake production on Tuesday, April 12, 2011, and production build-up to planned levels is expected to occur over the next few weeks.

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