Process flowsheet amelioration for Lodeve uranium mill. A method of alkaline lixiviant regeneration

Lodeve uranium mill is one of the three principal uranium mills of COGEMA (Comagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires) in France's native country. According to the characteristics of Lodeve ore, this mill processes the ore by means of alkaline leaching and direct precipitation for uranium recovery. A new method for regenerating the alkaline lixiviant and recycling the effluent proposed by the authors is described in order to improve the process flowsheet and production in this mill without change or addition of equipment. This method is directly used in Lodeve uranium mill and brought an important economical effect, with which the operation cost of this mill is at least decreased about 14,000,000 Frs. every year