Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works, Krasnokamensk, Russia:

V. G. Litvinenko, Deputy Chief Engineer of Technology, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, LitvinenkoVG@ppgho.ru
V. G. Sheludchenko, Head of Engineering Lab of Central Research Laboratory
V. S. Filonenko, Chief Specialist of Engineering Lab of Central Research Laboratory

The major producer of natural uranium in Russia is currently Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works (Priargunsky). The hydrometallurgical uranium processing flow chart developed by the Central Research Laboratory of Priargunsky assumes agitation leaching of uranium: ore pulp slurry is separated into two flows first, iron is leached from one flow, then initial and oxygenated flows are mixed for further oxidation and batch-wise transition of uranium to liquid phase of oxide-bearing pulp of sulfuric acid or manganese dioxide. However, the complicated control of redox potential of leaching when process properties of ore are changed as well as the high price of manganese peroxide call for an alternative oxidant. It is found that sodium nitrate application in uranium leaching from ore pulp slurry allows higher recovery of valuable component. At the same time, this technology results in emission of nitrogen oxides in the atmosphere, and it is required to modify the gas-cleaning plant to prevent the emission. The promising way to develop technology of agitation leaching of uranium is replacement of manganese dioxide by an oxidant obtained by acid decomposition of pyite drosses which is industrial waste volumes of which reach more than 4 Mt at Priargunsky. The undertaken tests of acid decomposition of drosses prove efficient applicability of these rejects of sulfuric-acid industry in production of iron-bearing oxidant to replace manganese concentrates or sodium nitrate in the process of exposure of alimunosilicate uranium raw material.

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