Geometallurgy of uranium deposits

Bowell, R. J.; Grogan, Joe; Hutton-Ashkenny, M.; Brough, C.; Penman, Kristina Mary; Sapsford, Devin James

doi:10.1016/j.mineng.2011.05.005

Cited by 57 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Geometallurgy enables the derivation of geologically-based predictive models for minerals processing that can assist plant design and promote efficient exploitation of mineral resources (e.g., [174][175][176][177]). Geometallurgy requires an interdisciplinary approach and widespread application of automated mineralogy, expanding traditional ore mineralogy into new spheres of economic relevance.…”

Section: New Sub-disciplinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

et al. 2017

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Abstract:The study of ore minerals is rapidly transforming due to an explosion of new microand nano-analytical technologies. These advanced microbeam techniques can expose the physical and chemical character of ore minerals at ever-better spatial resolution and analytical precision. The insights that can be obtained from ten of today's most important, or emerging, techniques and methodologies are reviewed: laser-ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry; focussed ion beam-scanning electron microscopy; high-angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy; electron back-scatter diffraction; synchrotron X-ray fluorescence mapping; automated mineral analysis (Quantitative Evaluation of Mineralogy via Scanning Electron Microscopy and Mineral Liberation Analysis); nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry; atom probe tomography; radioisotope geochronology using ore minerals; and, non-traditional stable isotopes. Many of these technical advances cut across conceptual boundaries between mineralogy and geochemistry and require an in-depth knowledge of the material that is being analysed. These technological advances are accompanied by changing approaches to ore mineralogy: the increased focus on trace element distributions; the challenges offered by nanoscale characterisation; and the recognition of the critical petrogenetic information in gangue minerals, and, thus the need to for a holistic approach to the characterization of mineral assemblages. Using original examples, with an emphasis on iron oxide-copper-gold deposits, we show how increased analytical capabilities, particularly imaging and chemical mapping at the nanoscale, offer the potential to resolve outstanding questions in ore mineralogy. Broad regional or deposit-scale genetic models can be validated or refuted by careful analysis at the smallest scales of observation. As the volume of information at different scales of observation expands, the level of complexity that is revealed will increase, in turn generating additional research questions. Topics that are likely to be a focus of breakthrough research over the coming decades include, understanding atomic-scale distributions of metals and the role of nanoparticles, as well how minerals adapt, at the lattice-scale, to changing physicochemical conditions. Most importantly, the complementary use of advanced microbeam techniques allows for information of different types and levels of quantification on the same materials to be correlated.

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Section: New Sub-disciplinesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Advances and Opportunities in Ore Mineralogy

et al. 2017

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“…3). Kaolinite after detrital feldspar is ubiquitous in the ore zone (Rubin, 1970;Bowell et al, 2011); vanadium minerals may also occur (Fig. 4).…”

Section: Redox and The Formation Of Roll-front Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Anaerobic Fe-reducing bacteria such as species of Geobacter have been shown to be able to reduce both ferric iron oxyhydroxide (e.g., goethite; and the uranyl (U-VI) ion Anderson et al, 2003), and the following chemical reactions [1,2] illustrate this in terms of common roll-front mineralogy: Devoto, 1978;Harshman and Adams, 1980;Nash et al, 1981;Bowell et al, 2011 These reactions would begin as shown in Fig. 4 upon encountering the Fe-reduction zone in an aquifer and the redox conditions associated with it.…”

Section: Redox and The Formation Of Roll-front Depositsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This suite of potential trace metal contaminants is likely to be site-specific and depend on factors such as the ore geology, ore and gangue composition, and nature of ISR operations. For example, the presence of clay minerals in the ore zones can sorb uranyl species and thus there is a degree of ''preg-robbing'' by some clay minerals in uranium ores (Bowell et al, 2011). Post-mining aquifer restoration can also be complicated by the fact that leaching is not 100% efficient, and some lixiviant is left behind in the ore zone (Stover, 2004).…”

Section: Lixiviants the Leaching Solutionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Potential aquifer vulnerability in regions down-gradient from uranium in situ recovery (ISR) sites

Saunders

Pivetz

Voorhies

et al. 2016

Journal of Environmental Management

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“…(1) unconformity-related deposits; (2) sandstone deposits; (3) hematite breccia complex deposits; (4) quartz-pebble conglomerate deposits; (5) vein deposits; (6) intrusive deposits; (7) collapse breccia pipe deposits; (8) volcanic deposits; (9) metasomatite deposits; (10) surficial deposits; (11) phosphorite deposits; (12) metamorphic deposits; (13) lignite; (14) black shale deposits; and (15) other deposits (Bowell et al, 2011;Burns and Finch, 1999;Ceyhan, 2009;Cuney, 2009;Finch and Murakami, 1999;Frondel, 1958;Hazen et al, 2009;Seidel et al, 1993;I.A.E.A. et al, 2006;Kyser and Cuney, 2008;Morss et al, 2011;Peehs et al, 2005;Plant et al, 1999).…”

Section: Occurrence (Genesis)mentioning

confidence: 99%