Method of removing uranium from a slurry containing molybdenum

Disclosed is a method of removing uranium from a slurry containing a water-insoluble molybdate and a Group II element, usually calcium. The pH of the slurry is raised with an alkali metal hydroxide and maintained at a level sufficiently high to solubilize insoluble molybdenum compounds. This will generally require a pH of at least 10 which can be achieved by adding sodium hydroxide. Carbonate ion is then added to the slurry in an amount at least sufficient to precipitate the cation of the insoluble molybdenum compound. And finally, the solid portion of a slurry, which now contains calcium carbonate and sodium uranate, is separated from the liquid portion, which contains a soluble molybdenum compound