ISR Technology
About ISR method af
Uranium is extracted through two primary techniques: surface or underground mining. In Situ Recovery (ISR) Mining is a highly developed mining technique in which uranium is dissolved/mobilized from the ore-bearing aquifer sandstone using either industrial oxygen or a very low concentration acid/alkaline solution and abstract it as a pregnant solution from the aquifer. The uranium is extracted in the processing plant’s Ion-exchange columns and the barren solution is pumped back into the aquifer to dissolve more uranium. Once the uranium is fully recovered, the ground water is restored back to the initial characterized ground water chemistry before beginning uranium recovery operations. af
- Pumping of a leaching solution into injection wells
- Leaching solution filtration through U-bearing aquifer, uranium dissolution
- Pumping out and transportation of pregnant solutions to the processing plant
- Extraction of uranium from pregnant solution
- Adding reagent and pumping leaching solution back to injection wells af
Progressive uranium mining technology with a closed cycle
ISR STEPS
STEP 1: INJECTION
A leaching solution is injected through the well into sandstone formation to dissolve uranium.
STEP 2: COLLECTION
The uranium-bearing solution is transported to the surface for processing. Monitor wells around each zone detect any solution escaping outside the mining area.
STEP 3: EXTRACTION
The uranium-bearing solution is concentrated and the final product (yellowcake) is extracted.
According to IAEA In-Situ Recovery – is a most environmental friendly method of mining af
After ISR mining operations are completed, the quality of the remaining groundwater is restored to a baseline standard determined as part of a environmental impact assessment and approval before the start of the operation. Upon decommissioning, wells are sealed or capped, process facilities removed, any evaporation pond revegetated, and the land can then revert to its previous uses. af
ISR is more environmentally friendly in comparison to conventional open-pit and underground mining due to: af
Aska vraag
Ons is oop vir dialoog en hou aan met konsultasies met alle belanghebbende partye om enige kwessies met betrekking tot die projek te verduidelik en ‘n wedersydse begrip te bereik.
