PRESSURE LEACHING OF URANIUM ORES IN A CHLORIDE MEDIUM

摘要

TITLEPRESSURE LEACHING OF URANIUM ORES IN A CHLORIDE MEDIUMINVENTORSGeorge P. DemopoulosGordon M. RitceyABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREConcurrent dissolution of both uranium and radionuclides fromores thereof has been achieved by leaching under oxygen pressure with analkaline earth metal chloride preferrably calcium chloride solutionacidified with HCl. Sulphide ores lead to sulphate ion build-up, excessof which is removed by autogenous alkaline earth metal sulphateprecipitation: this has been found to allow increased solubility andextraction of radlonuclides particularly radium. Leaching times areshort e.g. 4 hrs, such that radium precipitation or adsorption afterdissolution is minimized. Uranium recoveries of above 95% and radiumrecoveries above about 90% have been obtained. The extractedradionuclides can be disposed of separately, leaving the tailingsenvironmentally inert and suitable for backfill.