Development of treatment technology for uranium separation from mine drainage (UREM)
Purpose and goal
Runoff from mining areas may contain elevated levels of uranium, posing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Environmental legislation and regulatory decisions have become increasingly restrictive regarding uranium discharges to surface waters, which may limit future mining operations. Establishing procedures for handling and managing uranium-enriched waste is an important objective of the project.
Expected effects and result
The aim of this study is therefore to develop a passive method for removing uranium from mine water by filtering the water through a porous matrix of zero-valent iron, which promotes the transformation of soluble oxidized uranium into insoluble reduced uranium.
Planned approach and implementation
The method requires little energy and is suitable for small water flows, such as leachate from waste rock piles. The treatment method will first be tested in the laboratory before a pilot system is installed and operated at LKAB’s facility in Kiruna.
This English version is an AI-assisted translation prepared for the Swedish Metals & Minerals website. It has not been reviewed or approved by the project team or the funding agency.