Characterizing the transport properties of iodine in natural illite-rich clay barriers sampled from Cigar Lake uranium deposit

Canada’s Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is soliciting offers for a study focused on characterizing samples from the Cigar Lake Uranium Deposit, specifically to examine the transport properties of iodine within natural illite-rich clay barriers. The work involves acquiring clay samples from the clay-rich zones overlaying the uranium ore body, either from existing core stockpiles or through new acquisitions if necessary. The study will comprehensively analyze the geotechnical and geochemical properties of the samples, including moisture content, saturation, dry density, porosity, mineralogy, pore fluid chemistry, and specific surface area, as well as iodine’s leachability and distribution within the samples. In addition, the contract requires developing and executing an experimental program to measure iodine solute transport properties such as diffusion and partition coefficients under conditions replicating in-situ environments. The findings are to be documented and reported to the CNSC for regulatory and safety assessment purposes. The work will take place primarily within the National Capital Region, and proposals must be submitted by July 9, 2026. The solicitation is managed by the CNSC’s procurement team, which serves as the point of contact for potential offerors interested in contributing to this federally administered initiative.