MINING INNOVATION | FUEL & FUEL CYCLE


generally borne by governments rather than companies. In nations like Namibia, where agriculture and mining are crucial economic underpinnings, such impacts create land and water use conflicts. A different approach is urgently required – one that balances industrial growth with ecological preservation. Countries with major uranium reserves such as Namibia, Russia, Kazakhstan, Australia, and Uzbekistan are spearheading a transition in uranium extraction. A proven alternative method has been developed


over recent decades. Known as In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium mining, it offers a low-impact environmentally friendly approach to uranium production with high recovery efficiency. Its growing use worldwide highlights its ability not only to revolutionise mining but also to balance the extraction of resources with environmental preservation and public health.


Proving the ISR advantage ISR has become the most widely used uranium mining method globally, accounting for more than half of total production. Countries such as Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Uzbekistan, the USA, and Australia have proven its safety, efficiency, and economic viability. Unlike conventional mining, ISR does not involve digging pits or tunnels. Instead, a leach solution – usually a weak acid such as sulfuric acid – is injected into permeable aquifers containing uranium ore. The uranium is dissolved into the solution, which is then pumped to the surface for treatment. The circuit is a closed loop with the leach solution recycled and closely controlled. ISR is significant as it minimises disturbance of the land because no open pits or waste dumps are created, and surface landscapes are protected. It protects water security through closed-loop processes that prevent chemical leakage, and aquifers remain usable following mining. It also removes a requirement for tailings ponds by using ion exchange technology to eliminate the storage of large-scale wastage. Furthermore, ISR ensures compatibility with agriculture because land over ISR sites remains cultivable and graze-able. Finally, it has a reduced carbon footprint owing to low infrastructure and energy requirements. The development of ISR involves several steps. First,


wellfields are established by drilling arrays of injection and recovery wells. Then, underground uranium oxides are dissolved using a mild acidic solution. The pregnant solution is pumped to the surface and treated by ion exchange and precipitation into yellowcake. Finally, reclamation involves sealing wells, land restoration, and aquifer monitoring for many years after closure. ISR would allow Namibia, for example, to expand uranium production without trading off scarce water and land resources, supporting long-term sustainability for both the mining and agricultural sectors. Russian Dalur JSC, a Rosatom subsidiary, shows how


ISR can integrate innovation, environmental protection, and welfare for the local community. The Dalur site, in the Kurgan region, north of Kazakhstan and near Yekaterinburg, has been in operation since the late 1990s and has extracted several deposits without accidents or radiation illnesses among staff. Among its achievements are stringent environmental monitoring, transparent public involvement in information centres, harmonisation with


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agriculture by sourcing food from local farmers, corporate social responsibility in housing, education, and sports, and global accreditation with ISO certification. Dalur confirms that ISR can simultaneously augment energy security, advance rural economies, and protect ecosystems. These benefits are backed by evidence. As Pelizza and Bartels (2016) noted, ISR maintains aquifer integrity, avoids massive excavations, and prevents long-term risks of contamination. Similarly, Binnemans and Jones (2023) highlighted ISR’s complementarity to circular hydrometallurgy, whereby resource cycles are recycled and waste is reduced. Namibia, the world’s top producer of uranium, is


contemplating ISR as a potential alternative to traditional mining. Its geology and hydrogeology – sandstone-hosted deposits and confined aquifers – are amicably conducive to this method. Permeability of 1-5 metres per day, the clay fraction, and natural confining beds are technical requirements that render ISR safe and effective to implement. Policy changes initiated by Namibia, such as reconsideration of the Minerals Act, are an indication of a willingness to undertake sustainable mining practices and by embracing ISR, the country would also serve as an African pioneer in responsible uranium mining.


Above: Nambia is already a major uranium producer at sites like Husab, but its geology makes it suitable for ISR mining methods too. Source: OECD


Below: ISR operations at Dalur JSC, a Rosatom subsidiary Source: Rosatom


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