Modeling the performance indicators of geotechnological blocks and the movement of the discovered reserves of an underground borehole leaching of uranium

Abstract

Aim . This work conducts a comprehensive analysis of system relationships between the main technical and technological indicators of technological blocks functioning at underground uranium leaching mines. Methods . An information model describing the operation of technological wells was created. This model was used to determine the relationship between the main volume and quality indicators of reserves development, such as the volume of mining mass, the volume of discovered reserves, metal recovery, the average concentration of uranium, and the value of the ore interval. Results . For an adequate assessment of the reserve of technological blocks, the initial set of factors determining the volume of discovered reserves and production volumes at the field was formed: the interval of the effective capacity of the acidified productive horizon; the grouping of technological wells in the block; the area of the technological block. The analysis of geological and technological information carried out using the developed information model, along with an assessment of the resources during field mining, showed that 76% of operating technological blocks demonstrated overrecovery according to the actual results or the results predicted by forecasts. Conclusion . The results of reserve recalculation showed that the real reserves of uranium in the subsurface did not correspond to the actual development. In addition, it was found that systematic underestimation of discovered reserves was also associated with the calculation of uranium content in ore intervals, i.e., taking into account the value of the radioactive equilibrium coefficient.