The role of a research nuclear reactor within the framework of mineral prospection and processing programs

Abstract

The Centro de Desenvolvimento da Tecnologia Nuclear - CDTN, in Belo Horizonte, own the only TRIGA MARK I nuclear reactor reactor in Brazil. This reactor operates since 1960 and was formerly intended for trainign , research and isotope production. Nowadays, it is worthwhile to emphasize its further application, as an important tool devoted to the chemical analyses, based on neutron-gamma and neutron-fission nuclear reactions. An amount of about 240000 mineal samples have been irradiated in the reactor, since the foundation of the NUCLEBRÁS in 1974. The analytical determinations according to activation methods allowed for a better evaluation of the uranium oe resources and, consequantly, contributed to the achievement of present Brazilian position in the world market.