Process for in-situ leaching of uranium

Abstract

Process for the in-situ leaching of uranium from a subterranean ore deposit employing a lixiviant containing a carbonate leaching agent and an oxidizing agent. The lixiviant is heated to a temperature of at least 110.degree. F. prior to injection into the subterranean ore deposit. The use of a heated lixiviant provides for a substantially greater ultimate uranium recovery than that attained through the use of a lixiviant injected at ambient temperature conditions. The process may be carried out in several stages. In the first stage, a relatively low temperature lixiviant is injected. This is followed by a second stage in which the lixiviant is heated to an elevated temperature and then injected into the deposit. The invention is particularly applicable for use in subterranean deposits which contain uranium associated with carbonaceous material.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.