Abstract

Extraction of uranium from low grade ores using conventional mining practices is not economically viable. In situ leaching (ISL) process, also known as solution mining or in situ recovery (ISR), unlike conventional mining wherein the uranium-bearing ore is removed as such from its deposit, involves injection of a leaching liquid through wells into the deposit and pumping out the uranium-bearing liquid to the surface from other wells and subsequent recovery of the mineral. Moreover, there is little surface disturbance and no tailings or waste rock is generated.