How can we increase residual uranium extraction from previously worked-out blocks without significant cost? What factors influence the choice of solutions?

One of the most important factors in the formation of residual uranium reserves in worked-out blocks is the presence of clay minerals in the ore horizon. In this regard, the authors of the article published in the journal "Mining Science and Technology" conducted a number of studies on the adverse and positive effects of clay minerals on ISL process. Water permeability and relatively good filtration (not less than 0.5–1 m/day) of ores and rocks of a productive horizon (aquifer) is the most important hydrogeological factors affecting the performance of uranium ISL. The second most important hydrogeological factor is the lack of fluid communication between the productive aquifer and nonproductive aquifers, i.e., the obligatory presence of aquicludes.

For more information, see the article:

📌 Petukhov O.F., Khalimov I.U., Istomin V.P., Karimov N.М. The effect of clay minerals on in-situ leaching of uranium. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2023;8(1):39-46. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2022-10-20

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We present the articles of the second issue of scientific journal "Mining Science and Technology" (Russia) for 2025:

Scientists have proposed a new approach to calculating the optimal width of a dredge front bank, which reduces the cost of placer deposit mining. The study demonstrates that existing methods, focused solely on maximizing dredge productivity, fail to minimize costs when the depth of the placer and overburden thickness increase. The authors developed a methodology for determining the front bank width that accounts not only for dredge performance but also for stripping costs and the extraction of valuable components. The research analyzed the influence of placer parameters (peat thickness, productive layer thickness, front bank width) on economic efficiency, evaluated over 100 process flow sheets for equipment operation, and provided their economic assessment. The results include recommended correction factors for calculating the optimal front bank width, serving as a methodological foundation for designing dredge mining systems.

For details, see the article in Mining Science and Technology:

📌 Talgamer B.L., Meshkov I.A., Murzin N.V., Roslavtseva Yu.G. Justification of the optimal width of a front bank. Mining Science and Technology (Russia). 2025;10(2):99-108. https://doi.org/10.17073/2500-0632-2024-11-332

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#inEnglish #MST #placerdeposits #dredging #frontbankwidth #stripping #miningcosts #extraction #mining #dredge #peat #sands #optimization #technology #economics #science #research #methodology #coefficients #miningequipment