Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works, Krasnokamensk, Russia:

V. A. Gorbunov, Director of Metallurgical Works
V. G. Litvinenko, Deputy Chief Engineer of Technology, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, LitvinenkoVG@ppgho.ru

The article generalizes results of many years-long research work undertaken by specialists of the Metallurgical Works and Processing Service of Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works towards the large-scale modernization of the existing processing structure. The first system to be introduced was the circuit of complex uranium–molybdenum ore processing with the concurrent recovery of a marketable molybdenum-bearing product. In the early 1980s radiometric processing factory for ore with low uranium content was put into operation. Heap leaching plant using various economic leaching agents was built to process noncommercial ore reserves. The major success was introduction of grading of poor ore fragments using the method of X-ray radiometric separation. As a result of the accomplished lab-scale, semi-commercial and full-scale research and testing, a flexible uranium processing circuit was developed; it enabled efficient combination of hydrometallurgy, fine milling, heap leaching and X-ray radiometric separation. Adjustment of the preset limit of uranium content at check points allows varying ore feeds in diff erent processing schemes. As a consequence, it is possible to select optimal processing fl owcharts to reach maximum economic efficiency of uranouranic oxide production in the conditions of varied prices of fi nal uranium products, reagents and energy sources.

1. Zhivov V. L., Boytsov A. V., Shumilin M. V. Uranium: geology, mining, economics. Moscow : Atomredmetzoloto, 2012. 301 p.
2. Bugenov E. S., Vasilevskiy O. V., Shkolnik V. S. Theory and practice of production of uranium and its compounds. Almaty : Kazakh National Technical University, Kazatomprom, 2012. 336 p.
3. Tirskiy A. V., Morozov A. A., Bakharev V. Yu. Development of concentration technology of silicate uranium ores. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2013. No. 8(2). pp. 40–41.
4. Trubetskoy K. N., Kaplunov D. R., Viktorov S. D., Rylnikova M. V., Radchenko D. N. Scientific rationale of technologies for comprehensive resource-saving exploitation of strategic mineral resources. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskii byulleten. 2014. No. 12. pp. 5–12.
5. Volkov V. P. Sorption processes of operating productions. Moscow : “Ore and Metals” Publishing House, 2014. 160 p.
6. Svyatetsky V. S., Solodov I. N. Technological advancement strategy of uranium mining industry in Russia. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2015. No. 7. pp. 68–77. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2015.07.10
7. Chanturia V. A. Innovation-based processes of integrated and high-level processing of natural and technogenic minerals. Gornyi Zhurnal. 2015. No. 7. pp. 29–37. DOI: 10.17580/gzh.2015.07.05
8. Tsypin E. F., Ovchinnikova Т. Yu., Efremova T. A., Pestov V. V. Development of flow sheets for preconcentration of multi-component complex ores. Obogashchenie Rud. 2016. No. 5. pp. 8–13. DOI: 10.17580/or.2016.05.02
9. Morozov A. A., Yakovlev M. V. Processing-involvement of off-balance uranium ores, formed during the mastering of Streltsovskoe ore field deposits. Gornyy informatsionno-analiticheskii byulleten. 2016. No. 12. pp. 174–181.
10. Niyetbayev M., Yermilov A., Avdassyov I., Pershin M. The methods for performance improvement of technological wells at in-situ uranium leaching. Proceedings of the International Symposium on Uranium Raw Material for the Nuclear Fuel Cycle: Exploration, Mining, Production, Supply and Demand, Economics and Environmental Issues (URAM-2014), 23–27 June 2014. Vienna : International Atomic Energy Agency, 2014. 81 p.
11. Ren P., Yue Y., Wang K., Wu W., Yan Z. Synthesis and characterization of N,N,N,N-tetraalkyl-4-oxaheptanediamide as extractant for extraction of uranium (VI) and thorium (IV) ions from nitric acid solution. Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 2014. Vol. 300, No. 3. pp. 1099–1103.
12. GuoXiang C., Chun Ji X. Hydrodynamic regime as a major control on localization of uranium mineralization in sedimentary basins. Science China Earth Sciences. 2014. Vol. 57. pp. 2928–2933.
13. Heck S., Rogers M. Resource Revolution : How to Capture the Biggest Business Opportunity in a Century. Amazon Publishing, 2014. 256 p.
14. Meng H., Li Z., Ma F., Jia L., Wang X., Zhou W., Zhang L. Preparation and characterization of surface imprinted polymer for selective sorption of uranium(VI). Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. 2015. Vol. 306, No. 1. pp. 139–146.
15. Schnell H. Building a uranium heap leach project. In URAM 2014 Conference, 23–27 June, 2014, Vien, Ausrtia. Available at: http://www-pub.iaea.org/iaeameetings/cn216pn/Thursday/Session11/178-Schnell.pdf (accessed: 15.04.2018).