Extraction of uranium from low-grade ore from McDermitt, Nevada

Technical Report · Fri Apr 01 00:00:00 EST 1983

OSTI ID:6146457

Judd, J C; Nichols, I L; Huiatt, J L

The US Bureau of Mines is investigating uranium ore samples submitted by the Department of Energy under an Interagency Agreement. One sample from McDermitt, Nevada, containing 0.0875 pct U/sub 3/O/sub 8/, is the basis of this report. Leaching studies were performed to determine the feasibility of extracting uranium from this ore body. Acid leaching with 400-lb H/sub 2/SO/sub 4//ton of ore and 10-lb NaClO/sub 3//ton of ore extracted 84 pct of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ from the ore. When the ore sample was roasted for 4 hr at 500/sup 0/C followed by an acid leach, extraction of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ was 90 pct; the required acid addition was 400-lb H/sub 2/SO/sub 4//ton of ore. Extraction of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ was 93 pct when pressure leached under oxygen in an autoclave at 260 psig, 200/sup 0/C for 3 hrs using 400-lb H/sub 2/SO/sub 4//ton of ore. Carbonate leaching at 85/sup 0/C extracted 50 pct of the U/sub 3/O/sub 8/, but the oxidant requirement was 20-lb KMnO/sub 4//ton of ore. Roasting of the ore followed by a carbonate leach of the calcine increased the extraction of U/sub 3/O/sub 8/ to 70 pct. 7 tables.

• Research Organization: Bureau of Mines, Salt Lake City, UT (USA). Salt Lake City Research Center
• DOE Contract Number: AC13-76GJ01664; AI13-81GJ01699
• OSTI ID: 6146457
• Report Number(s): GJBX-23(83); ON: DE83011314
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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URANIUM ORES
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URANIUM OXIDES U3O8
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FEASIBILITY STUDIES
HIGH TEMPERATURE
MEDIUM PRESSURE
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050400* - Nuclear Fuels- Feed Processing