STUDY OF TECHNIQUES FOR SELECTIVE EXTRACTION OF URANIUM AND RARE EARTH

M.Zh. Bulenbayev, Bagdat Altaibayev, David Magomedov, Zhasulan Bekpeissov, Turkmenbai Daulet

2025

Data confidence 70 medium

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Abstract

This study investigates the flotation-based enrichment of black shale raw materials to selectively separate uranium and rare earth metals (REMs). The efficiency of various reagent systems�xanthogenate, kerosine, and paraffin with trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA)�was examined under different grinding fineness conditions. The initial material showed significant concentrations of uranium (0.188%) and REMs, with carbon content reaching up to 15%. The highest uranium removal (up to 98%) into mineral tailings was achieved using paraffin flotation in the presence of TCCA at a grinding fineness of 60% less than 0.071 mm, while simultaneously enriching REMs (up to 90%) and carbon in the coal concentrate. Electron microscopy confirmed the selective distribution of uranium in quartz-aluminosilicate particles and REMs in carbon matrices. The proposed flotation mode allows for efficient separation without the need for ultrafine grinding, providing a promising approach for the integrated processing of black shale ores.