Abstract
The development of Kazakhstan’s uranium mining industry is linked to addressing major scientific and practical challenges. Modern uranium mining is characterized by high dynamism and the occasional occurrence of radiation-hazardous situations that require rapid and effective solutions. Each deposit has its own specific characteristics, necessitating a certain amount of scientific research not only during the development of new deposits but also during the application of existing technical solutions. Since the process flowsheet used at the in-situ leaching sites in Kazakhstan involves the use of recirculating solutions containing several petrogenic elements (Na, Ka, Ca, Mg, Al, Fe), as well as Cl- and NO3 - ions, their impact on the change in ORP during interaction with carbonates in mineralized sulfuric acid solutions cannot be ignored. The interaction of sulfuric acid solutions with carbonates is accompanied by a significant increase in pH. In addition to simple metal ions and their sulfate complexes, well-known hydrocomplexes, as well as bicarbonate and carbonate complexes, appear in the solutions. This article presents an acid-free method for increasing the redox potential of uranium borehole leaching recycle solutions using ultrasound and describes the results of laboratory experiments confirming the high efficiency of the developed method.