Novel precipitation technique for uranium recovery from carbonate leach solutions

The recovery of uranium from carbonate ore leach solution was studied using novel precipitation method. The uranium from leach liquor was recovered as magnesium diuranate with NaOH in presence of trace amount of Mg2+. Effects of various parameters such as addition of H2SO4, MgO, MgSO4 as well as NaOH were investigated for maximum uranium recovery. Overall uranium recovery of the process was 97 % with improved particle size (similar to 57 A mu m). Based on the experimental findings, a process flow-sheet was developed for uranium recovery from carbonate ore leach solution with a uranium concentration of < 1 g/L.