Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works, Krasnokamensk, Russia:

A. A. Morozov, Director of Science, Technology and Innovative Development, Candidate of Engineering Sciences

Transbaikal State University, Chita, Russia:
V. M. Lizunkin, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
P. B. Avdeev, Professor, Doctor of Engineering Sciences
M. V. Lizunkin, Associate Professor, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, LMV1972@mail.ru

Priargunsky Mining and Chemical Works has actually depleted high-grade ore reserves. Considerable uranium reserves are contained in low-grade economic ore and in mining waste. The current mining technology of downward horizontal slicing with cemented backfill and hydrometallurgical processing is unprofitable in uranium extraction from the mentioned materials. In this connection, based on the analysis of the domestic and international practices of hard ore extraction and using the scientific research findings, a new uranium ore production flow chart is developed, including in-situ leaching (ISL), pretreatment before heap leaching and heap leaching (HL). ISL is implemented in extraction of ore reserves from open pit mine bottom in the Tulukui deposit. Lowgrade ore from waste dumps of the ore pretreatment site is placed on the open pit mine bottom and subjected to HP. Pretreatment before heap leaching includes grading of economic reserves from old dumps and current mining. Furthermore, the calculations are performed to substantiate: efficient process flow charts for preparation and extraction of ore blocks in different geological and geotechnical conditions at acceptable mining cost; rational drilling and blasting designs ensuring the wanted quality of ore fragmentation; stable dimensions of structural elements of mining systems. Thereupon, a series of projects on semicommercial testing and introduction of the new technology are developed. Implementation of the integrated technology improves mining performance.
The study was supported by the Government of the Russian Federation (Ministry of Education and Science) in the framework of the integrated high-tech production engineering project: Creation of integrated mining technology for low-grade economic uranium ore.

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