Uranium is a strategic mineral resource in China, and geophysical logging plays a crucial role in sandstone type uranium exploration. This study applies various commonly geophysical logging methods to prospect for uranium in the Chepaizi area of the Junggar Basin. Beginning with the logging instruments and methods, we determine favorable prospecting horizons within the Shawan Formation, Taxihe Formation, and Tuguru Group based on statistical analysis of gamma logging result and radioactive background value across different strata and sections within the study area. The 128 Regiment section, as well as its north and southwest parts, are identified as favorable areas for prospecting. Additionally, comprehensive study and interpretation of geophysical logging parameters allow for accurately divide borehole lithology. Abnormal responses from spontaneous potential (SP) curves suggest a relative relationship between drilling fluid and formation water salinity. When combined with apparent resistivity curve analysis, geochemical characteristics of high-salinity formation water within the Shawan Formation target layer are obtained. High-salinity water of Shawan Formation is conducive to oil and gas accumulation, and their migration provide favorable conditions for uranium reduction enrichment and mineralization. Overall, the application of geophysical logging in Chepaizi area proves beneficial for uranium metallogenic analysis and prospecting in this area.

For the precise quantification and calculation of solid mineral resources and reserves, this study utilizes data from exploration projects, mining design, and engineering surveys during the exploration and development of solid minerals. By employing three-dimensional (3D) digitalization methods and visualization techniques, we have constructed 3D geological attribute models, designed mine-out models, and 3D excavation engineering models. Furthermore, we have integrated the statistical computation of resources and reserves with these 3D entity models, proposing a 3D statistical computation method and data management framework specifically tailored for solid mineral resources and reserves. The findings indicate that the application of 3D digitalization methods enables accurate and detailed accounting and computation of resources and reserves and production ores, precise classification of resource reserve types, and dynamic updating of resources and reserves based on the continuously expanding information of ore body control points, thereby enhancing the efficiency of dynamic management of solid mineral resources and reserves. Practical application cases have further confirmed the feasibility and effectiveness of the 3D digital dynamic management method for solid mineral resources and reserves.

Gamma logging is the fundamental method for quantitatively determining uranium content of mineralized intervals in boreholes. The U-Ra equilibrium in a certain sandstone-hosted uranium deposit has been severely disrupted. To investigate the impact of Ra-rich sections (mineralized intervals where the equivalent uranium grade derived from radium is ≥ 0.010 0% but the uranium grade is<0.010 0%) on log interpretation and U-Ra equilibrium correction results, the uranium and radium content analysis results of permeable ore samples were systematically studied. The results show that: for samples with a uranium grade≥0.010 0%, the weighted average uranium grade is 0.042 7 %, the weighted average U-Ra equilibrium coefficient is 0.615, and the coefficient of variation is 1.041; for samples with an equivalent uranium grade derived from radium≥0.010 0%, the weighted average uranium grade is 0.029 5%, the weighted average U-Ra equilibrium coefficient is 0.890, and the coefficient of variation is 3.785. Ra-rich sections will significantly increase the deposit's U-Ra equilibrium coefficient, increase the orebody thickness, and decrease the deposit's uranium grade. Gamma logging cannot identify and remove Ra-rich sections. Consequently, neither the log interpretation results nor the U-Ra equilibrium correction results objectively reflect the orebody's spatial position, grade and thickness. The estimated resource quantity is also inaccurate.

The ore-bearing aquifer in a sandstone-type uranium deposit in Xinjiang has poor permeability and small amount of water in the well. When using the "CO₂ + O₂" neutral leaching process, it is difficult to add oxygen, and the oxidation efficiency of U (Ⅳ) in the ore is low, resulting in a low leaching rate of uranium resources. To solve this problem, an efficient micro-nano oxygenation device was developed. The results show that this device can add oxygen steadily and continuously to the low permeability and low water well. Under the condition that the leaching agent is supplemented with NH₄ HCO₃ and the CO₂ concentration is unchanged, compared with the traditional single well oxygenation, the concentration in the leaching solution increased by 35.95%, the oxidation capacity of the ore layer was increased, the oxygen consumption was reduced by 20.16%, and the monthly leaching rate was increased by 60.00% during micro-nano oxygenation.

This paper focuses on the "CO₂+O₂" in-situ leaching uranium process of the Qianjiadian uranium deposit, and conducts an in-depth investigation into the relationship between filter length, leaching recovery rate, and operating water volume. Actual field data are used for analysis, and the results show that there is a strong positive correlation between filter length and operating water volume: the operating water volume increases significantly in the filter length of 7-11 m, with an average growth rate of 5.2% per meter; while the growth slows down in the filter length of 12-18 m, with an average growth rate of 1.3% per meter. In contrast, a strong negative correlation is observed between filter length and leaching recovery rate: the leaching recovery rate decreases gently in the filter length of 7-11 m, with an average decline rate of 0.75% per meter; the decline accelerates in the filter length of 12-14 m, with an average decline rate of 2.0% per meter; and it drops sharply in the filter length of 15-18 m, with an average decline rate of 3.67% per meter. Based on the above analysis, it is determined that the optimal filter length range for the "CO₂+O₂" in-situ leaching uranium process of the Qianjiadian uranium deposit is preferably 7-9 m. For ore segments with larger ore body thickness, the filter length can be appropriately adjusted within the range of 16 m, but shall not exceed 16 m.

In the leaching liquid system of a uranium deposit in Xinjiang, the content ofρ(Cl^-) is high and the mineralization degree is high. When using traditional D382 weakly alkaline anion exchange resin to treat this system, the dynamic adsorption capacity of uranium is low (15~30 mgU/mL)and the uranium separation and enrichment efficiency is poor. This study systematically evaluated the adsorption performance of JH-1 macroporous weakly alkaline acrylic resin on the system. The results show that J H-1 resin has special tertiary amine functional groups and a macroporous skeleton structure, exhibitingexcellent selectivity for uranium complexes and in CO₂ +O₂ neutral leachate. Its saturated adsorption capacity reaches 60 mgU/mL, which was 2.6 times higher than that of D382 resin. In the dynamic adsorption process, the adsorption efficiency of JH-1 resin for uranium reaches 98.85%, the leaching efficiency is 99%, and the uranium recovery rate is 82%. This resin effectively solves the problem of resin adsorption site competition and equipment scaling in high mineralization systems by suppressing the interference of competitive ions such as Cl^- and .It significantly reduces the consumption of raw materials such as hydrochloric acid and industrial salt, and reduces production costs by 23 000 yuan/tU, providing technical support for efficient development of sandstone uranium mines.

With the continuous development of in-situ leaching uranium mining technology, how to effectively remove solid particles has become a key issue of in-situ leaching uranium mines. In this paper, the removal method of solid particles in an in-situ leaching uranium mine was studied in depth, and the process was optimized. Firstly, the principle of in-situ leaching uranium process was summarized. The sources of solid particles and their negative effects on production were described in detail, such as increasing the operating pressure of the system, reducing the permeability of the ore layer, and affecting the efficiency of uranium recovery. Then, the existing solid particle removal methods were analyzed. On this basis, a series of optimization strategies for solid particle removal process were proposed, including improving resin cleaning cycle, optimizing resin tower sequence, and increasing discharge process in adsorption process. Through experimental research and practical application case analysis, it is verified that the optimized process has significant effects in improving the removal efficiency of solid particles and improving the stability of system operation. The research results provide important technical support for the efficient production of in-situ leaching uranium mines.

One of Kazakhstan's paleo-channel sandstone uranium deposit has reduced uranium concentrations (15-20 mg/L) and over 50% of wells exceeding their service life, affecting economic performance and sustainability. To address these problems, technical measures were implemented: used oxidants during acidification to boost uranium concentration peaks and maintain higher levels; established a ful-life cycle quality management system to increase the service life of drilling wells; carried out advanced exploration to increase indicated and measured resources; and remined the low-recovery or multilayered orebodies. The results show these measures effectively improve resource recovery, lower operating cost, and extend mine life, supporting economic feasibility and sustainable operation.

Current uranium mining and metallurgy equipment faces significant shortcomings in perception, control, communication, and machine intelligence. This paper systematically elaborates on the dedicated equipment system for the entire process from mining, hauling, beneficiation, to hydrometallurgy of both hard-rock and sandstone-type uranium deposits. Based on this analysis, differentiated upgrade paths were proposed. Representative achievements, such as the group-well water-level Fabry-Perot cavity sensor system, the underground intelligent ore transfer system for mined rock, and the ultra-high-lift leaching solution pumping system, demonstrate the implementation of a closed-loop framework integrating sensing, decision-making, and execution. Results indicate that intelligent technologies significantly enhance the efficiency and safety of uranium mining and metallurgy, providing strong technical support for the efficient development of uranium resources in China.

Plate-type nuclear fuel is extensively employed in small modular reactors, where the incorporation of neutron poisons into fuel elements enhances fuel utilization efficiency. Hafnium (Hf), a commonly used neutron poison, is widely applied in nuclear fuel assemblies. To ensure the operational safety, the accurate quantification of neutron poison content is of great significance. In this study, the detection of Hf was investigated using Prompt Gamma-ray Neutron Activation Analysis (PGNAA). A PGNAA system comprising a D-T neutron generator and a high-purity germanium detector was established to measure Hf plate samples. The system achieved a mass detection limit of 3.89 g for Hf. Furthermore, a Monte Carlo simulation model of the measurement system was developed to calculate the characteristic gamma rays induced by neutron excitation. The calculated results deviate from the experimental measurements by less than 10%, thereby validating the model's reliability. These findings provide both experimental and theoretical support for the application of PGNAA technology in measuring Hf content in nuclear fuel elements.