Zhang Yuchen, Yuan Yuan, Rong Hui, Xu Ying, Liu Zhengbang, Wu Xiaoge, Guo Liangliang, Ren Junxing, Liu Hui
The occurrence and genetic mechanism of residual uranium in uranium reservoirs after CO2 + O2 in-situ leaching of uranium are highly important for improving the in-situ leaching process and leaching efficiency of uranium, but few studies have been conducted in this field. Therefore, this work takes mineralized sandstones and drilling core samples after in-situ leaching of uranium as the research object in the Qian II block of the Qianjiadian uranium deposit in Inner Mongolia. Three types of residual uranium were identified via SEM-EDS analyses: uranium minerals, adsorbed uranium and minerals containing uranium. In the samples after in-situ leaching, uranium minerals include coffinite and pitchblende, which are mainly distributed in the dissolved pores of clastic particles or inside and around clay minerals such as kaolinite. The adsorbed uranium is adsorbed mainly by clay minerals and carbonaceous debris, whereas minerals containing uranium include mainly monazite containing uranium, zircon containing uranium and titanium minerals containing uranium. A comparison of the occurrence of uranium in the mineralized sandstones before and after in-situ leaching reveals the following. (1) In the types of uranium minerals associated with clastic particles, the residual uranium minerals inside the quartz, feldspar, rock debris and carbonaceous debris were observed, whereas no residual uranium minerals at the edge of clastic particles, or inside the mica joints were observed. (2) In the uranium minerals associated with interstitial material, residual uranium minerals associated with pyrite and kaolinite were observed, and no residual uranium minerals associated with siderite were observed.(3) Uranium adsorbed by kaolinite and carbonaceous debris was retained. (4) Minerals containing uranium retains between clastic particles. On the basis of above observations and analyses, four genetic mechanisms of uranium residue in uranium reservoirs during in-situ leaching are proposed. (1) Because of the lack of effective interconnected pores, the in-situ leaching solution has difficulty flowing through the uranium minerals inside the clastic particles, resulting in formation of the uranium residual uranium minerals.(2) Kaolinite can block fluid transport channels, making it difficult to leach uranium minerals associated. (3) Kaolinite has adsorption properties and is stable under acidic conditions, which makes it difficult for the adsorbed uranium to be leached out. Uranium cannot be leached in areas rich in carbonaceous debris because of its strong reduction ability, adsorption capacity and poor circulation in the area. (4) Minerals containing uranium have difficulty reacting with the leaching agent, which results in incomplete leaching. This research has shown that the occurrence of uranium in the mineralized sandstone is an important factor affecting its leaching, and the results provide a mineralogical basis for improving in-situ leaching processes and enhancing uranium leaching efficiency.