Substantiation of technological solutions for uranium mining by the method of In-Situ Leach Mining (ISL) under the conditions of the high groundwater pressure. Methods. Analysis of mining-and-geological conditions of the deposit, conducting experimental-industrial works at the experimental unit, and processing data from research results. To increase the efficiency and reduce the expenditures for insitu leach mining of uranium, taking into account the hydrogeological peculiarities of the deposit, experimental works have been conducted using the "pumping wells" technology. Findings. The proposed technology helps to reduce the expenditures for acquiring cable products, submersible pumps (the cost of a more powerful pump is much less than the cost of several ones, which are equal to it in power), for the construction of well heads. The dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the L:S ratio (liquid to solid) using the "pumping wells" technology. With a change in L:S from 0.1 to 0.33, the uranium content in the pregnant solution increases from 5 to 225 mg/l, then its gradual decrease is observed. A change in L:S from 0.9 to 2.2 leads to an insignificant change in the uranium content to 100-120 mg/l. Originality. Based on the research results, the dependences have been obtained of the change in the uranium content in the pregnant solution and the recovery coefficient on the ratio of L:S using the "pumping wells" technology. The recovery coefficient has changed in direct proportion to the L:S ratio, hence, for L:S from 0.1 to 2, the recovery coefficient i ncreases from 1 to 87%. Practical implications. A new technology for uranium mining by the method of underground leaching has been developed, which is characterized by low capital expenditures and producing costs of in-situ leach mining of uranium.
Study of application of «pumping wells» when mining of uranium deposits by in-situ leaching (ISL) to the mine "Karatau" under conditions of high pressure of groundwater character was performed. The operating «Karatau» mine is located in a deserted, inaccessible, sparsely populated area in the southwestern part of the Shu-Sarysuy depression in the territory of the Suzaksky district, Turkestan oblast. The «Karatau» deposit differs from other deposits in that self-pouring of geotechnological wells with a statistical level of +20 m is observed at all sites. The use of traditional technology for such deposit leads to excessive material and labor costs. Therefore, the technology of "pumping wells" is proposed. It is shown that the use of "pumping wells" procedure leads to achieving a uniform flow rate of extraction wells, reduction in the purchase of the cable production costs for the purchase of submersible pumps and wells in the end cap.
This paper analyses the experience uranium deposits mine development under conditions of highpressure nature of groundwater proposed technology "pumping wells" and upgrading technological scheme unit receiving and distribution of the solution. The results of experimental study of the use of "pumping wells" in mining deposits of uranium by in-situ leaching mine "Karatau". It is proved that by using the proposed technology and circuits under conditions of the high groundwater pressure reduces the cost of procurement of cables, significantly reduced the cost of acquisition of submersible pumps, savings in the end cap. In practice, one processing unit is equipped with one unit for receiving and distributing the solution, therefore, a leaching solution with the same acidity is supplied to all injection wells. To avoid such cases requires selective supply of different concentrations of acid with the different indicators pH. The modernization of the scheme of the unit for receiving and distributing the solution was carried out by connecting two bypass lines, where one bypass line is designed to transfer the injection wells to the pumping one, and the second one is to transfer the pumping wells to the pumping one. By connecting the two bypass lines, it will be possible to supply a leach solution with a higher acid concentration, selectively to any injection well. As a result, acid consumption will decrease due to its selective supply and pH values in wells will be balanced.
This paper presents the results of experimental research applications "pumping wells" when the mining of uranium deposits by the method of In-Situ Leach Mining ISL in mine "Karatau". Analyzed the experience results of uranium deposits development in the conditions of high-pressure nature of groundwater. The experimental works have been conducted using proposed “pumping wells” technology. The implementation of the proposed "pumping well" technology did not affect the Me and pH values in comparison with the actual technology, but it did reduce the production cost. It is proved that by using the proposed technology and schemes in conditions of high-pressure nature of groundwater reduces the cost of procurement of cables, significantly reducing the cost of acquisition of submersible pumps, savings in the end cap.
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