New techniques for the treatment of uranium ores

The growth in nuclear power programmes since 1970 has led to an increasing demand for uranium, and tenders have been invited from all parts of the world for the construction of new treatment plants. What types of plant could be suggested. The diversity of ores and sites, even more stringent safety requirements, greater care for the environment and economic facts called for numerous, if not basic, reviews of the conventional techniques. Two examples illustrate this point. In the case of a plant to treat a refractory ore situated in a desert area with limited water resources, Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann studied and applied a new technique of leaching by sulphuric acid pulping, which gives a considerable saving of sulphuric acid and water in comparison with conventional leaching techniques. In dealing with a problem which arose at a plant situated in a mountainous region of touristic interest, where a tailings settling tank could not be installed, Pechiney Ugine Kuhlmann studied and developed techniques involving the use of band filters for solid-liquid separation and pulp washing. Apart from lowering investment costs by about 15% in comparison with the techniques used so far, this technique produces the tailings in solid form so that they do not require a settling tank for storage. (author)