Mining of Mineral Deposits

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Research into leaching of uranium from core samples in tubes using surfactants

Bayan Rakishev1, Mukhametkali Mataev2, Zhiger Kenzhetaev1, Bagdat Altaybayev2, Assel Shampikova1

1Satbayev University, Almaty, 50013, Kazakhstan

2Institute of High Technologies, Almaty, 50012, Kazakhstan


Min. miner. depos. 2020, 14(4):97-104


https://doi.org/10.33271/mining14.04.097

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      ABSTRACT

      Purpose. Improving the efficiency of borehole uranium recovery in difficult mining-and-geological conditions through the development of a new technology based on the intensification of geotechnological processes of in-situ uranium leaching, the selective effect of a new chemical reagents complex on a set of the mineralogical and particle-size distribution of the ore-bearing rocks of the productive horizon.

      Methods. Sampling of core material from host rocks of the Syr Darya depression uranium deposit. The content of uranium, calcium, aluminum, iron, magnesium, and carbonate content in the samples has been revealed by the spectral analysis method. The quantitative and qualitative parameters and peculiarities of the host minerals have been determined by the method of X-ray phase analysis. By testing particle-size distribution, the fractional parameters of core samples have been determined. Specifications have been developed, as well as laboratory experiment have been conducted on uranium leaching from core material in a dynamic mode in tubes, with the addition of selected chemical reagents with different modes.

      Findings. The aspects of borehole uranium recovery using sulfuric acid solutions as a solvent and the reasons that cause a decrease in geotechnological parameters in ores with low filtration characteristics have been determined. An effective method has been developed for intensifying borehole uranium recovery using superficially active substance (surfactants, SAS) in difficult mining-and-geological conditions, with an increased content of argillaceous and carbonate minerals, and low filtration host rocks properties. An efficient and economically feasible method for uranium leaching with sulfuric acid solutions with the addition of surfactants has been revealed and scientifically substantiated.

      Originality. The scientific novelty is in the fact that the selected surfactants added to sulfuric acid solutions increases the uranium content in the productive solution and the degree of economically feasible uranium recovery with reduced sulfuric acid consumption and the ratio of liquid to solid (L:S).

      Practical implications. The use of rational surfactants in uranium leaching makes it possible, in areas with low filtration cha-racteristics, to reduce operating expenses for production by reducing the period of recovery, to increase the uranium content in the productive solution and the degree of recovery, as well as to reduce the consumption of sulfuric acid and sedimentation.

      Keywords: borehole recovery, leaching, uranium, X-ray phase, tests on particle-size distribution, surfactants


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