Home Latest Articles
Latest Articles
  • Xianyu WU, Lu HOU, Jiang HOU, Lianxi ZHAO, Junjun QIU, Yuming LIU, Zhi GAO, Yuna WU, Li XIE, Yiming FAN
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(3): 126-130.

    With the continuous development of network technology, wireless communication technology has been widely applied and has attracted the high attention from uranium mines. The current development status of various mainstream wireless communication technologies was analyzed, the integrated performance comparison of several commonly used short-range wireless communication technologies was conducted, the current situation of uranium mine network construction was elaborated. Based on the distribution characteristics and network application requirements of uranium mining industrial facilities in China, three wireless technologies, Wi-Fi, GPRS, and ZigBee, were selected for on-site application research. The network transmission of automatic control in mobile control rooms, remote monitoring of well washing vehicles, leakage alarms of wellhead devices, and equipment inspection signals were achieved.

  • JIA Libo, ZHANG Wei, PENG Wenbin, CHANG Qing, XIE Tanchun, LI Weiheng, JIANG Yue, CUI Lun, WANG Fei
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 103-111.

    This study conducted γ-radiation cumulative dose monitoring and instantaneous monitoring of γ-radiation air absorption dose rates at 31 monitoring locations around the Fangchenggang nuclear power plant, analyzing the radiation level monitoring results to grasp the long-term changes in terrestrial radiation levels around the nuclear power plant. The results show that from 2018 to 2023, the environmental γ-radiation cumulative dose rate monitoring values around the Fangchenggang nuclear power plant ranged from 62.5 to 141.3 nGy/h, with an average value of 99.1 nGy/h; the instantaneous dose rates ranged from 55.0 to 119.5 nGy/h, with an average value of 93.7 nGy/h. The terrestrial environmental radiation levels around the plant remained consistent before and after the commercial operation of its three units, with both γ-radiation cumulative dose rates and instantaneous dose rates maintained at normal levels, indicating that the emission of airborne effluents during the operation of the nuclear power did not impact the radiation levels in the surrounding environment. There was significant variation in the γ-radiation cumulative dose rates at different monitoring points, with a tendency for higher levels in winter and lower in summer, suggesting that γ-radiation cumulative dose rates are greatly influenced by environmental factors.

  • LIU Tianyin, LI Xilong, CAO Junpeng, ZHANG Bo, LIU Xiaokui, FENG Xiaogang
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 96-102.

    The fine management model was introduced in a “CO2 + O2” in-situ leaching uranium mine in Inner Mongolia, and the processes of adsorption, leaching, acidification and precipitation which affect the quality of production were carefully managed. The preparation of eluent was optimized from “settling mother liquor + sodium bicarbonate + hydrochloric acid + sodium chloride” to“settling mother liquor + sodium bicarbonite + water”, the pH of eluent was maintained at 9.5 ~ 10.0, and reducing the accumulation of chloride ion in the system. The peak mass concentration of uranium in the eluate was increased and maintained at 80~130 g/L. The amount of hydrochloric acid added in the acidification process is automatically controlled, the pH is accurately controlled in 4.5~4.6, and the ratio of carbon to uranium in the qualified liquid is further reduced. Adjust the flow rate of leachate to keep the average mass concentration of uranium in 30~70 g/L, to reduce the influence of mass concentration of uranium on product quality. Control slurry precipitation time, to improve slurry pressure filtration effect. After the optimization of production parameters, the moisture content of the product decreased by 8.50%, the uranium content increased by 2.88%, and the product quality was improved as a whole.

  • WANG Yaan, YUAN Yuan, CHENG Wei, LI Guanghui, ZHANG Huan, ZHAO Lixin, ZOU Yuhan, HUO Jiandang
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 39-46.

    Mastering the particle size in the solution throughout the neutral in-situ leaching process has guiding significance for regulating the leaching process, optimizing filters, determining the position of solid removal, alleviating ore bed blockage, restoring the flow rate of injection liquid, and reducing resin bed stratification. For this purpose, the whole process solution of neutral in-situ leaching of uranium from the Nalinggou deposit in Inner Mongolia was taken as the object, and based on laser particle size analyzer test data, the particle size distribution in the solution was obtained. The results show that the frequency distribution curve of particle size in the leaching solution is asymmetric, and the cumulative distribution curve is in an “S” pattern. The particle size distribution range is narrow, and the maximum particle size is less than 100 μm. The resin bed layer has a strong filtering effect on particulate matter, and the accuracy of the tail liquid filter bag should be determined based on the size of the resin ball and system pressure. The addition of O2 or CO2 in neutral systems has a weak effect on particle size. The particle size frequency distribution curves of both the qualified solution and the masterbatch solution in the settling tank exhibit a “double peak” pattern, while the lean solution exhibits a normal distribution. The maximum particle size in the mother liquor is about 40 μm. It is recommended to choose a precision of 10~50 μm for the leaching solution bag filter, and simultaneously add a 10~20 μm precision filter between the mother liquor tank and the eluent preparation tank. This study reveals the particle size distribution pattern in the whole process solution of the Nalinggou deposit, enriching the understanding of the particle size of neutral in-situ leaching of uranium, and providing a basis for optimizing surface filtration technology in mines.

  • HU Zhiwei, MAO Guangzhen
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 1-12.

    Sandstone-type uranium deposits point has been found in Chepaizi area of the western Junggar Basin, among which the Neogene Shawan Formation uranium mineralization is widely distributed. The uranium metallogenic potential and prospecting direction in this area have been studied, but the uranium metallogenic conditions are not clear. The formation of sandstone-type uranium deposits is the result of water-rock interaction. It is important to study the relationship between hydrogeological conditions and uranium mineralization. According to the paleohydrogeological evolution, the hydrodynamic conditions of uranium mineralization were analyzed. The hydrochemical components were used to analyze the hydrogeochemical characteristics of groundwater. The uranium exploration and oil data were used to analyze the geochemical characteristics of rocks, sand body characteristics, sedimentary facies characteristics, development characteristics of ancient interlayer oxidation zones, and oil-gas transformation. The differences in the hydrogeological conditions of uranium mineralization in the three sand groups of the first member of the Shawan Formation and the favorable areas for uranium mineralization were revealed. The research shows that the 128 group has the most favorable hydrogeological conditions for uranium enrichment where is the intersection of the underwater distributary channel of the fan delta front and the braided river delta front and on both sides of the fault zone. The thickness of the sand body is stable, the connectivity is good, the uranium mineralization lasts for a long time. The uranium metallogenic condition of Tachakou area and 126 group is less. The 3 sand group of Shawan Formation was the best, the 1 sand group was the second, and the 2 sand group was the worst.

  • DONG Chunming
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 84-89.

    Clay is a crucial component of the coexisting radioactive waste cover layer. The investigation of its shielding performance is of significant importance. In this study, the effects of clay type, clay moisture content, emulsion type, clay+geomembrane on radon shielding were studied by means of self-designed experimental apparatus. The results show that montmorillonite stands out as a clay type with relatively superior shielding capabilities, montmorillonite with 25% moisture surpassed other moisture levels, montmorillonite combining either polyurethane emulsion or geomembranes can yield favorable shielding effects. This research provides essential data and theoretical guidance for the utilization of clay in radon shielding.

  • DING Yinquan, DUAN Boshan, ZHOU Genmao, XU Liwen, MA Ji, QIN Gan
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 31-38.

    Taking the deposit west of P0 line in Mengqigur, Xinjiang as the research object, aiming at the problems such as large variation coefficient, buried depth, complex occurrence conditions and difficult large-scale development of the ore body, the integrated mode of “exploration and mining combination” was adopted, which combines exploration drilling and production drilling, had made the utilization rate of exploration drilling reach 61%, saved the input cost of drilling and improved the quality of resources. The construction period of the deposit was shortened, the vegetation damage was reduced, and the green and sustainable development of the mine was achieved. The technology has remarkable economic and environmental benefits, and provides a new method for the development of complex sandstone in-situ leaching uranium ore.

  • YANG Jun
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 47-52.

    In-situ leaching uranium technology is an important means of sandstone type uranium mining in China. In-situ leaching drilling is the only channel connecting the ground to the underground ore layer, which plays an important role in uranium mining. The construction efficiency of in-situ leaching drilling affects the construction and development of the entire uranium mine. Taking a certain uranium mine as the research object, the efficiency and existing problems of in-situ leaching drilling construction from 2019 to 2020 were statistically analyzed. The results show that compared with core drilling machines, water well drilling machines have significant advantages in construction. The configuration of mud pumps, drilling depth, logistics management, and support all have an impact on the efficiency of drilling construction. Improvement suggestions have been proposed for the factors affecting construction efficiency, in order to achieve the goal of reducing costs and increasing efficiency.

  • MAO Xinlei
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 80-83.

    The well washing process of in-situ leaching uranium mine is an important means to increase the amount of drilling water. However, a large amount of impurities such as sediment in the well washing wastewater cause the bag filter and adsorption tower pressure to rise, which indirectly affects the production progress. Based on the principle of centrifugal force, a sand removal device for well washing wastewater was developed and applied in a certain in-situ leaching uranium mine. The results show that it can reduce the pressure of bag filter and adsorption tower, reduce the frequency of filter bag replacement, increase the adsorption water and increase production capacity. The sand removal device of the well washing wastewater has a certain popularization value in the drilling and well washing technology of in-situ leaching uranium mine.

  • FENG Boneng, FENG Pengcheng, GONG Daokun
    Uranium Mining and Metallurgy. 2024, 43(2): 53-57.

    In order to enhance the quality of uranium dioxide products, a comparison and analysis was conducted on the bulk density of uranium dioxide products in both the new and old uranium purification production lines. It was observed that the bulk density of products in the old production line exceeded that of products in the new line. The primary factor contributing to this difference was identified as significant fluctuations in crystallizing agent concentration of the new production line, resulting in inadequate crystallization effects for uranyl ammonium tricarbonate and smaller crystal sizes, consequently impacting crystal calcination effectiveness. As a result, there was a decrease in uranium dioxide product density and overall product quality. To address this issue, several measures were implemented,such as merging ammonium carbonate preparation positions between the new and old production lines, unifying and localizing crystallizing agent supply, enriching recovered ammonium carbonate solution, and flushing pipeline with steam flushing. These actions successfully resolved fluctuation problems related to crystallization effects within the new production line, leading to an average increase of 5.71% in bulk density of uranium dioxide products as well as an average net weight per barrel increase by 4.73%. Consequently, notable improvements were achieved regarding product quality for uranium dioxide.