| Abstract: | An in situ recovery of uranium operation involves circulating reactive
fluids through an underground uranium deposit. These fluids contain
chemicals that dissolve the uranium ore. Uranium is recovered from the
fluids after they are pumped back to the surface. Chemicals used to
accomplish this include complexing agents that are organic, readily
degradable, and/or have a predictable lifetime in an aquifer. Efficiency
is increased through development of organic agents targeted to complexing
tetravalent uranium rather than hexavalent uranium. The operation
provides for in situ immobilization of some oxy-anion pollutants under
oxidizing conditions as well as reducing conditions. The operation also
artificially reestablishes reducing conditions on the aquifer after
uranium recovery is completed. With the ability to have the impacted
aquifer reliably remediated, the uranium recovery operation can be
considered inherently safe. |