International Isotopes Inc. says it has received a construction and operating license from the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission for the company’s planned depleted-uranium deconversion and fluorine extraction processing plant in New Mexico.

The plant would be the first of its kind. The company says it plans to use a two-step deconversion process that combines a well-known technology with its proprietary fluorine-extraction process. The plant would produce high-value and commercially important fluoride products used to make products in the solar, microelectronics and petrochemical markets.

“The receipt of the NRC license has long been identified by the company as a prerequisite for entering any serious negotiations for project financing,” says Steve T. Laflin, president and CEO.

International Isotopes also makes calibration and reference standards used in nuclear medicine.

From a news release