uranium extraction explained

An excellent video explaining the In-situ Leaching/Recovery process. Also a little more information and a few links to sites to clarify a few points.

Click here: ISL Mining explained - Video

"In-situ recovery/In-situ leaching/Solution mining
Uranium ore can also be recovered by the in-situ recovery (ISR) method, given appropriate geological conditions. The ISR method is applicable only to sandstone-hosted uranium deposits located below the water table in a confined aquifer. ISR is a method that leaves the uranium orebody in the ground. The uranium is dissolved in either sulfuric acid or a mildly alkaline solution that is injected into and recovered from the aquifer by means of wells. The uranium-bearing solution is then pumped back up to the surface, leaving the rock undisturbed. Nearly a quarter of the uranium mines use the ISR method. Nearly all of Kazakhstan’s uranium mines use this method."
source: http://www.uranium.info/index.cfm?go=c.page&id=20

"In-situ mining (ISR or ISL)
Unlike conventional mining methods, in-situ recovery removes the uranium from its host rock, and leaves the rock in place. This process involves pumping an environmentally benign solution of water and sodium bicarbonate and/or gaseous carbon dioxide and oxygen down an injection well, where it flows through the existing aquifer to the ore deposit, dissolving the uranium. The fluid containing the leaching agents is known as lixiviant or leachate. The uranium-rich lixiviant is then pumped back to the surface through extraction wells and the uranium is extracted from solution at a central processing facility. The lixiviant solution is recycled. In-situ mining produces no tailings and has significant operational and environmental advantages over conventional mining." source: http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/uranium/mining.aspx

Despite what some think (and I spoke to someone believing this today), You do not require the high grades of uranium such as AGS to carry out ISR mining processes. In fact the opposite applies in that ISR was initially devised and has been successfully used for low grade deposits for some time. This is a fallacy and bears no resemblance to fact.

PEN has a target grade of 500-700ppm, this is more than economical, it is downright highly profitable. PEN has already indicated high degree of success in recovery rates.

Please no more of the false information regarding grades or recovery process success. PEN's Lance project will simply be one of the best uranium projects in the world.

As I have already pointed out it is already indicated to be larger than the PDN Langer Heindreich project in Namibia. In fact if PEN proves up Lance as expected it could be double the size of Langer with lower location risk and far lower Capex. Don't trust me research for yourself and you will see.

Cheers
Dhuy