OREANDA-NEWS.   Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union (JSC PIMCU) commenced implementation of a new integrated technology for processing of low-grade uranium ore.

This cost-effective method for extracting end product from low-metal content ore has been developed by the JSC PIMCU Central Research and Development Laboratory jointly with the Trans-Baikal State University.

So far, testing of an ore-sorting complex for processing of non-commercial dumps, which includes a mobile screening plant and an X-Ray magnetic separator, completed under the project. The equipment separates rock bulk into saleable ore and mining waste.

During a three-month period of pilot operations, approximately 50,000 tons of ore concentrate containing 17.5 tons of uranium has been obtained. Within the framework of the project being implemented, two tasks have been simultaneously solved: the first one is production-related – obtainment of additional metal volumes; and the second one is environmental – reclamation of some spoil heaps of substandard ore. The project’s next stage envisages introducing of the block in-situ leaching technology.

“It is planned to obtain solutions containing metal directly at a workplace – in a mine. Currently, an ore body model with near-real density has been created under laboratory conditions. Acid solution is delivered down onto a compacted formation block, sinks through it and collects in trays. In case of successful completion of pilot operations we will be able to significantly reduce production costs,” said Alexander Morozov, Head of the JSC PIMCU Central Research and Development Laboratory.

Collaborative work undertaken by JSC PIMCU and the Trans-Baikal State University to develop efficient technology for processing of low-grade ore will be presented at the First Annual National Exhibition “VUZPROMEXPO-2013. National Science as the Basis of Industrialization”, which is to take place on December 17-18 in Moscow.