Speaker: Louisa Barlatier

Date: Thursday 19th of March 2026, 1:15pm

Abstract:

The In Situ Recovery technique has been used for over 20 years to extract uranium from sedimentary deposits (unconsolidated sands) with low U content (hundreds of ppm). This technique is based on injecting and pumping a leaching solution through the deposit. This solubilizes uranium in the circulating fluid through oxidizing conditions, obtained by strong acid. Alternative methods involve leaching at very low acid concentrations (neutral pH) and in the presence of an oxidizing agent such as O2. A series of autoclave leaching tests (under pressure) has been launched at GeoRessources to reproduce in situ conditions and analyze the influence of operating conditions on acid consumption, kinetics, and yield. The initial results presented here are part of tests conducted at low acidity with the addition of O2 (aq). Some geochimical modeling has also been carried out.