Published December 1979 | Version v1
Journal article

Leaching characteristics of Australian uranium ores

Creators

  • 1. Australian Atomic Energy Commission Research Establishment, Lucas Heights. Chemical Technology Div.

Description

The leaching characteristics of a number of Australian uranium ores were determined under acid and alkaline conditions. Ores from the Ranger, Nabarlek and Koongarra deposits in the Northern Territory were readily leached in dilute sulphuric acid. Ore from the Roxby Downs deposit in South Australia required leaching at 55 deg C to achieve a satisfactory recovery. All ores contained refractory minerals which were not leached under conventional conditions, limiting uranium extraction to 86-96%. Carbonate leaching of carnotite in calcrete ores from Yeelirrie and Lake Way in Western Australia yielded uranium extractions of at least 98 per cent. Leaching rates were considerably faster than those reported for other applications of alkaline leaching as the slow oxidation step was not required

Additional details

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., Proc.
Journal Issue
no. 272
Series
Australas. Inst. Min. Metall., Proc.
ISSN
0004-8364