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Development of an innovative combined well regeneration method for in-situ uranium leaching.

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Development of an innovative combined well regeneration method for in-situ uranium leaching.
Authors: Omarov, Abay1 (AUTHOR) omarovabay3@gmail.com, Yussupov, Khalidilla1 (AUTHOR), Yeluzakh, Mukhtar1 (AUTHOR), Akzholova, Aliya2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Geomechanics & Geoengineering. Jun2026, Vol. 21 Issue 3, p925-950. 26p.
Subject Terms: *Uranium mining, *Chemical cleaning, *Factory equipment, *Injection wells, *Cleaning, *Cost effectiveness
Geographic Terms: Kazakhstan
Abstract: The study develops a mobile unit for the chemical treatment and flushing of technological wells in the uranium industry, aimed at improving repair and restoration work efficiency in challenging mining and geological conditions. The research included the design and testing of the unit at the Karamurun field (Kazakhstan) with 60 geotechnological wells. The mobile unit featured specialised components like pumping equipment, pipelines for reagents, and was upgraded to handle difficult conditions, enhancing operational reliability and safety. The tests revealed that the unit reduced well downtime by 50% and increased productivity. The cost-effectiveness of the unit was KZT 14,068,374 (USD ~28,400) annually, with a payback period of 4.4 years. The results demonstrated the unit's significant impact on improving filtration characteristics in hard-to-permeate rocks and its potential for improving production in the uranium industry. This solution offers new prospects for developing geological deposits and enhancing industry efficiency. STANDARDIZED TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE STUDY: in-situ leaching (ISL) – uranium extraction method where minerals are dissolved directly in the ore body and pumped to the surface; decolmatation – removal of clogging materials from the filter zone of production wells; filter zone – perforated section of the well casing allowing inflow of productive solutions; inter-repair cycle (IRC) – time interval between two successive regeneration operations; ammonium bifluoride (NH4F·HF) – main reagent used for dissolution of carbonate and silicate scales; mobile chemical treatment unit (MCTU) – autonomous mobile system for well filter regeneration; sulphuric acid (H2SO4) – reagent commonly used in uranium ISL operations and as a base component in decolmatation solutions; hydrochloric acid (HCL) – acid reagent used in chemical well treatment to dissolve mineral deposits and oxides; airlift pumping – method of well cleaning using compressed air to lift fluids and sediments to the surface; pneumo-pulse treatment – cleaning technique using short pulses of compressed air to dislodge deposits in the filter zone; swabbing – mechanical method of cleaning the well bore by repetitive piston movement to remove blockages; pH/Eh – indicators of acidity and oxidation – reduction potential of groundwater, used to assess chemical environment stability; geotechnological well – production or injection well used in in-situ leaching operations for uranium recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Database: Energy & Power Source
Description
Abstract:The study develops a mobile unit for the chemical treatment and flushing of technological wells in the uranium industry, aimed at improving repair and restoration work efficiency in challenging mining and geological conditions. The research included the design and testing of the unit at the Karamurun field (Kazakhstan) with 60 geotechnological wells. The mobile unit featured specialised components like pumping equipment, pipelines for reagents, and was upgraded to handle difficult conditions, enhancing operational reliability and safety. The tests revealed that the unit reduced well downtime by 50% and increased productivity. The cost-effectiveness of the unit was KZT 14,068,374 (USD ~28,400) annually, with a payback period of 4.4 years. The results demonstrated the unit's significant impact on improving filtration characteristics in hard-to-permeate rocks and its potential for improving production in the uranium industry. This solution offers new prospects for developing geological deposits and enhancing industry efficiency. STANDARDIZED TECHNICAL TERMINOLOGY USED IN THE STUDY: in-situ leaching (ISL) – uranium extraction method where minerals are dissolved directly in the ore body and pumped to the surface; decolmatation – removal of clogging materials from the filter zone of production wells; filter zone – perforated section of the well casing allowing inflow of productive solutions; inter-repair cycle (IRC) – time interval between two successive regeneration operations; ammonium bifluoride (NH4F·HF) – main reagent used for dissolution of carbonate and silicate scales; mobile chemical treatment unit (MCTU) – autonomous mobile system for well filter regeneration; sulphuric acid (H2SO4) – reagent commonly used in uranium ISL operations and as a base component in decolmatation solutions; hydrochloric acid (HCL) – acid reagent used in chemical well treatment to dissolve mineral deposits and oxides; airlift pumping – method of well cleaning using compressed air to lift fluids and sediments to the surface; pneumo-pulse treatment – cleaning technique using short pulses of compressed air to dislodge deposits in the filter zone; swabbing – mechanical method of cleaning the well bore by repetitive piston movement to remove blockages; pH/Eh – indicators of acidity and oxidation – reduction potential of groundwater, used to assess chemical environment stability; geotechnological well – production or injection well used in in-situ leaching operations for uranium recovery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
ISSN:17486025
DOI:10.1080/17486025.2026.2630675