Chemistry of uranium extraction - studies on the dissolution of uranium ores in a complex solution matrix

奥林匹克大坝是世界上最大的铀存款。随着计划中的大规模扩建，该矿每年可产生超过100亿美元的收入。然而，在那里发现的矿石非常复杂，人们对其了解甚少。该项目将调查和确定矿石的详细特征和化学成分，并提供工艺改进，以提高生产率并改善矿石开采的经济性。该项目还将通过建立矿物提取和分离技术方面的可持续技能发展方案，解决这一领域研究人员的严重不足问题。

Olympic Dam is the world's largest uranium deposit. With a planned massive expansion of the mine's operations, it could generate more than $10b per year. The mineral ores found there, however, are highly complex and poorly understood. This project will investigate and determine the detailed characteristics and chemistry of the mineral ore and offer process improvements that will increase the productivity and improve the economics of extraction of the ore. This project will also address the serious deficiency of researchers in this field by creating a sustainable skills development program in mineral extraction and separation technology.