An Overview of In Situ Leach Uranium Mining and Associated Remediation Issues

Following early experimentation and production in the 1960s, in situ leach (ISL) mining has become one of the standard uranium production methods. Its application to amenable uranium deposits (in certain sedimentary formations) has been growing in view of its competitive production costs and low surface impacts. ISL uranium mining has gained widespread acceptance and its share in total uranium production grew from 13% in 1997 to 46% in 2011. The IAEA has prepared an overview report to show how ISL experience around the world can be used to direct the development of technical activities, taking into account environmental considerations and an emphasis on the economics of the process, including responsible mine closure. With this report Member States and interested parties will have more information to design and efficiently and safely regulate current and future projects, with a view to maximize economic performance and minimize negative environmental impact. Highlights of the report's findings are provided here, with a summary of the IAEA's involvement in ISL over recent decades and some discussion on ISL remediation issues. (author)