DEVELOPMENT OF SORPTION TECHNOLOGY OF RARE-EARTH METALS RECOVERY FROM URANIUM IN-SITU LEACHING SOLUTIONS

Present article is dedicated to development of rare-earth metals recovery sorption technology from in-situ leaching uranium solutions. Sampling of productive solutions were performed from different technological blocks of one uranium deposit. Intermediate products of in-situ leaching technology were also sampled. Bench-scale test works on rhenium, scandium and dysprosium dynamic sorption were realized. Lab studies on sorption and elution of valuable components on Purolite A170, Ambersep 920, Am-p-2, AMR, Lewatit TP260, TVEX D2EHPA, KU-2-8, Lewatit 108H ion-exchange resins were performed. Obtained results of valuable components contents are only indirect proof of its occurrence and distribution on uranium-bearings blocks. Leaching solutions already include certain amount of valuable components. Uranium ISL process solution samplings resulted in confirming presence of accompanying valuable components, from which feasible grade were shown by scandium and REM and in a less degree by rhenium. It was proved that rhenium content in solutions strongly depends on RedOx potential and therefore on conditions of uranium blocks processing (acidity, RedOx, impurities, etc.). Executed chemical analysis of samples allows us to determine potential recovery sources of by products.