Mining of Mineral Deposits

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Improving the technology of uranium mining under the conditions of high groundwater pressure

Yernur Omarbekov1, Khalidilla Yussupov1

1Satbayev University, Almaty, 50013, Kazakhstan


Min. miner. depos. 2020, 14(3):112-118


https://doi.org/10.33271/mining14.03.112

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      ABSTRACT

      Purpose. Substantiation of technological solutions for uranium mining by the method of In-Situ Leach Mining (ISL) under the conditions of the high groundwater pressure.

      Methods. Analysis of mining-and-geological conditions of the deposit, conducting experimental-industrial works at the experimental unit, and processing data from research results. To increase the efficiency and reduce the expenditures for in-situ leach mining of uranium, taking into account the hydrogeological peculiarities of the deposit, experimental works have been conducted using the “pumping wells” technology.

      Findings. The proposed technology helps to reduce the expenditures for acquiring cable products, submersible pumps (the cost of a more powerful pump is much less than the cost of several ones, which are equal to it in power), for the construction of well heads. The dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the L:S ratio (liquid to solid) using the “pumping wells” technology. With a change in L:S from 0.1 to 0.33, the uranium content in the pregnant solution increases from 5 to 225 mg/l, then its gradual decrease is observed. A change in L:S from 0.9 to 2.2 leads to an insignificant change in the uranium content to 100-120 mg/l.

      Originality.Based on the research results, the dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the ratio of L:S using the “pumping wells” technology. The recovery coefficient has changed in direct proportion to the L:S ratio, hence, for L:S from 0.1 to 2, the recovery coefficient increa-ses from 1 to 87%.

      Practical implications. A new technology for uranium mining by the method of underground leaching has been developed, which is characterized by low capital expenditures and producing costs of in-situ leach mining of uranium.

      Keywords: uranium, leaching, well, recovery


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