A procedure for acid leaching of ores of the sandstone type, particularly of uranium ores

Ore mixed with the enriched fraction of the leached ore is leached with sulfuric acid at 5 to 220 degC. Bulky particles are sorted out from the mixture and reduced in size, and particles with a higher proportion of the useful component are separated from them. The latter particles constitute the enriched fraction of the leached ore, which is partially or completely returned to the mixture with the entering ore. The sorting should preferably be performed in an aqueous system. The assets of this procedure include a better homogenization of the mixture with the acid, a better stability of the reaction mixture which brings about reduced adhesion and solidification, and the possibility of extending the reaction time and increasing the temperature. The reduction in size makes for a better access of the leaching agent to the useful minerals, and the returning of the leachate to the reaction system spares sulfuric acid. (M.D.)