Quasi-Stagnant Mine Waters of Flooded Uranium Deposits as a Utilizable Uranium Source

Authors: Michálek, B; Rapantova, N; Grmela, A; Hájek, A Paper is not available for download Contact Us

DOI https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_54

Cite As:
Michálek, B, Rapantova, N, Grmela, A & Hájek, A 2008, 'Quasi-Stagnant Mine Waters of Flooded Uranium Deposits as a Utilizable Uranium Source', in AB Fourie, M Tibbett, I Weiersbye & P Dye (eds), Mine Closure 2008: Proceedings of the Third International Seminar on Mine Closure, Australian Centre for Geomechanics, Perth, pp. 587-598, https://doi.org/10.36487/ACG_repo/852_54



Abstract:
As spontaneous flooding of a decommissioned underground mine progresses, the concentrations of substances dissolved in mine waters increase. Once the hydrological regime has been stabilized, a distinct vertical stratification of mine waters develops, i.e. one that is especially governed by the minimization of mine water flow after the cessation of the hydraulic gradient induced earlier by actively draining the mine. These principles are evident in practically all ore and also coal mines (Rapantová and Grmela, 2004, Michálek et al., 2005). In the case of uranium mines, an increase in the concentration of uranium and other elements occurs in mine waters in deeper horizons of the former mine. In so-called quasi-stagnant waters, uranium concentrations are also markedly higher than in the upper part of the aquifer. Mine waters accumulated in deeper parts of former uranium mines thus represent, with regard to their considerable volumes and high concentrations of dissolved uranium, a significant secondary source of this raw material. Potential utilization of these mine waters as a secondary uranium source is, to a certain extent, analogous to the in situ leaching method of mining. Nevertheless, the process of transferring uranium into solution is not intensified by introducing acids into the rock environment, but instead the natural processes of dissolving uranium minerals in mine waters after their preceding oxidation in the stage of deposit exploitation are used.

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