Leading Research Institute of Chemical Technology, Moscow, Russia:

K. M. Smirnov, Head of Integrated Mineral Processing Department, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
T. V. Molchanova, Head of Ion Exchange Technology Laboratory, Candidate of Engineering Sciences
O. K. Krylova, Head of Leaching and Separation Technologies Laboratory, lab-v-1@vniiht.ru

The paper presents the results of studies on the processing of carbonate ores of the Argun and Zerlovoe deposits with extraction of uranium and molybdenum in relation to the terms of the hydrometallurgical plant of Priargunsky Industrial Mining and Chemical Union (PJSC PIMCU). Methods of autoclave and atmospheric leaching with the use of oxidizing agents and oxidation catalysts and sorption extraction of valuable components are studied. The most stable and high rates of uranium and molybdenum extraction into the solution were obtained by autoclave leaching with the following process parameters: pressure 12–14 atm, temperature ~140 °C, pulp processing time 4–6 h, the initial concentration of sodium carbonate 40–50 g/dm3. The degree of extraction of uranium and molybdenum in the solution was ≥96%. The effect of pH of the solution in the range from 5 to 9 when using carboxyl cationites SG-1m, Rossion 21, MAS-3 and strongly basic anionites AM-p, AM and AMP was studied. 10-step countercurrent sorption of uranium from pulps in bundles on carboxylic cation SG-1m was tested. Almost complete separation of uranium from molybdenum from carbonate solutions in the pH range of 6,5–7,5 was achieved. Concentrations of uranium and molybdenum in the discharge liquid phase were less than 3 mg/dm³ and 0,236 g/ dm³, respectively. The delayed rate of uranium sorption was noted. The maximum sorption uptake of uranium and molybdenum for the anion exchange resin is best for different pH values (for uranium – pH 6,5, molybdenum at a pH of 5). The uranium balance is achieved for 8 hours of phase contact, molybdenum maximum saturation is set at a duration of sorption 0.5^–1 hours. A rational technology of joint processing of silicate and carbonate ores by a single, common sorption scheme is proposed, which allows to extract uranium and molybdenum separately to obtain ammonium uranyl tricarbonate and ammonium paramolybdate.

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