Mineralogic considerations for uranium in situ leach mining: A preliminarystudy of uranium and associated mineralogy of roll-front uranium deposits in Wyoming and Nebraska

Preliminary mineralogic studies via scanning electron microscope (SEMI of s andstone-hosted uranium deposits in Wyoming and Nebraska have revealed subt le mineralogic differences that may affect the success of carbonate in situ leach mining. Milleralogic conditions of interest to the in situ miner include uranium sp eciation, associated mineralogy, and uranium accessibility. Thin sections o f core samples from operating mines, exploration projects, and pre- and pos t-carbonate leach testing have provided a wide range of orebody conditions examined in this ongoing study. To date, analyses of cores from active mine sites have provided insight int o areas of poor uranium recovery, due to petrologic and mineralogic constra ints. Studies of exploration targets, and subsequent in-house leach testing , have been used to characterize uranium-lixiviant-sandstone host interacti ons. In addition to current research, continued studies may include viabili ty studies of orebody mineability to refinement of restoration processes.