Uranium post-mining wastes as a potential reserve source of uranium for nuclear energy plants

Abstract

Biotechnology is an effective and environmental friendly method of waste utilization and poor refractory ores exploitation, well known since 1949 and successfully developed in many countries: Spain, Bulgaria, USA, and Sweden. Biotechnology opens the possibility to obtain uranium as by-product in rare element recovery process (eg. Co, Au, Re, Rh, Pt) and positively affects the economic efficiency of technology. The research program of biological exploitation of waste and poor ores in Poland is presented. Microbial consortia able to oxidize iron under neutral and acidic conditions (Fe concentration in ore is 1.8–3.4%) are isolated and developed during project realization.