Original scientific paper
https://doi.org/10.17794/rgn.2023.5.5
MANAGING THE HORIZON-ORIENTED IN-SITU LEACHING FOR THE URANIUM DEPOSITS OF MONGOLIA
Oleh Khomenko
; Dnipro University of Technology, Department of Mining Engineering and Education, Yavornytskoho Ave 19, UA-49005 Dnipro, Ukraine
Dmytro Rudakov
; Dnipro University of Technology, Department of Hydrogeology and Engineering Geology, Yavornytskoho Ave 19, UA-49005 Dnipro, Ukraine
Tsandgjav Lkhagva
; Mongolian University of Science and Technology, Department of Magistracy and Doctoral Studies, Baga toiruu 34, Sukhbaatar district, MO-13301 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
Dariusz Sala
; AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, al. Mickiewicza 30, PL-30059 Krakow, Poland
Valentyn Buketov
; Universidad Nacional de San Agustin de Arequipa, Institute of the Center of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, San Agustin Street 107, PE-04000 Arequipa, Peru
Roman Dychkovskyi
; Dnipro University of Technology, Department of Mining Engineering and Education, Yavornytskoho Ave 19, UA-49005 Dnipro, Ukraine
*
* Corresponding author.
Abstract
This paper summarizes the results of evaluating uranium in-situ leaching (ISL) parameters for hydrogenous deposits in eastern Mongolia. This method, also known as in-situ recovery (ISR) or solution mining was proposed for mining used to extract uranium from underground deposits without physically removing the ore. The studies included drilling, geophysical surveying, evaluations of rock properties and chemical composition of rocks and groundwater, as well as modelling coupled flow and transport for the “Ul’zit” deposit as a case study. The proposed horizon-oriented approach to process separate ore bodies at different depths allows for the mining process to be adapted to layered heterogeneity and allows successive leaching by wells of varying diameter and special design. This approach may reduce drilling costs and shorten the time for mining uranium deposits in Mongolia by 2 times on average. It was proven that this method is an environmentally friendly and cost-effective alternative to traditional underground or open-pit mining for uranium ore bodies. The economic evaluation confirms the effectiveness of the proposed solutions.
Keywords
uranium; hydrogenous deposits; in-situ leaching; wells; managing horizon-oriented ISL
Hrčak ID:
310817
URI
Publication date:
4.12.2023.
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