Mineralogic considerations for uranium in situ leach mining: A preliminary study of uranium and associated mineralogy of roll-front uranium deposits in Wyoming and Nebraska

摘要

Preliminary mineralogic studies via scanning electron microscope (SEM) of sandstone-hosted uranium deposits in Wyoming and Nebraska have revealed subtle mineralogic differences that may affect the success of carbonate in situ leach mining.Mineralogic conditions of interest to the in situ miner include uranium speciation, associated mineralogy, and uranium accessibility. Thin sections of core samples from operating mines, exploration projects, and pre- and post-carbonate leach testing have provided a wide range of orebody conditions examined in this ongoing study.To date, analyses of cores from active mine sites have provided insight into areas of poor uranium recovery due to petrologic and mineralogic constraints. Studies of exploration targets, and subsequent in-house leach testing, have been used to characterize uranium-lixiviant-sandstone host interactions. In addition to current research, continued studies may include viability studies of orebody mineability to refinement of restoration processes.