In-situ leaching technology for uranium deposits

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Kazakhstan possesses the world’s largest resource base of proven industrial uranium reserves. The article discusses the geological features and provides a theoretical justification for the technology of in-situ leaching (ISL) of uranium deposits in the Republic of Kazakhstan. Explored reserves in Kazakhstan amount to about 1 million 560 thousand tons uranium. The presence in Kazakhstan of significant reserves, well-explored uranium deposits, well-developed uranium mining and processing facilities, as well as the current situation on the world uranium market predetermine the prospects for the development of the uranium mining industry in the republic. When preparing deposits of uranium deposits for development by the ISL method, an important role is given to the choice of schemes for opening deposits with production injection and production wells. The location of wells in the exploited reservoir depends on the morphological characteristics of the reservoir, the hydrogeological conditions of the productive horizon and the geotechnological parameters of the experimental work. Experimental work is a necessary step to substantiate the main parameters of the preparation and development of deposits by the ISL method (well layout, installation of filters, productivity for solutions, solution lifting means, consumption indicators for reagent, etc.). The main performance indicators that determine the effectiveness of ISL application include: leaching rate; average concentration of uranium in productive solutions; reagent consumption; productivity for productive solutions; the degree of extraction of uranium from the bowels; the volume of solution consumed for the extraction of uranium from a unit of ore mass (ratio L:S). The article is based on the results of Grant funding ip АР09561616 "Development of the scientific and technical foundations of the technology for the extraction of uranium deposits".