AREVA initiates Mining Innovation Center project

AREVA initiated this week the project for the construction of the Mining Innovation Center at its Bessines site (Limousin, France). This facility for mining research and expertise represents an investment of 33 million euros and will entail the construction of a new building.

Current activities at SEPA (Service d'Etudes de Procédés et Analyses) are lead by a team of 80 people who develop new processes for mineral ore treatment. Created in the 1980’s, the SEPA is currently divided between two separate buildings: one unit for developing pilot projects and a dedicated analysis laboratory.

The Mining Innovation Center will join these two activities in a single 9,500 m² building, enabling the AREVA teams to work in a larger facility featuring the latest technology.

“The SEPA is renowned worldwide for its research and expertise in mineral ores originating from all continents. With construction schedule to begin in 2015, the Mining Innovation Center will provide our teams with a high-performance, new facility,” said Olivier Wantz, Senior Executive Vice President, Mining Business Group.