Interactive Tour

In-Situ Recovery (ISR) of Uranium

Uranium Resources, Inc. uses the in-situ recovery process because of its relatively lower
costs and its environmental advantages. Unlike conventional mining, ISR leaves the rock
in place (in situ) and uses injection and extraction wells to circulate water through the
ore body. The process removes the uranium while leaving the rock undisturbed.

Explore the cutaway illustration below to learn more about the ISR process.

ISR is a highly regulated process. Monitor wells surrounding the mine site help ensure protection of the surrounding aquifer.

239

488

Monitor Wells

In the United States, uranium ore bodies are commonly found in sandstone formations in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming, and Texas.

353

288

The Ore Body

Geologists drill exploration boreholes to map the location and shape of ore bodies.

315

288

Ore Body Maps

Oxygen is added to the mineral-laden groundwater of the ore body, which is injected, extracted and continuously recirculated to recover the uranium.

375

632

Water Oxygenation

Recirculated groundwater is pumped into the ore body to solubilize the uranium in the sandstone.

582

459

Injection Wells

Groundwater containing solubilized uranium is pumped from the ore body to the surface plant.

445

459

Extraction Wells

The uranium in the water is transferred to resin beads in an ion-exchange process.

459

691

Ion Exchange

In this alternative to the local ion-exchange process, the uranium-coated resin is trucked to a central plant for ion exchange.

560

Remote Ion Exchange (RIX)

The elution process removes the uranium coating from the plastic resin and regenerates the resin, preparing it for another round of ion exchange.

148

760

Elution

The uranium is removed from the eluant and oxidized to crystalline form.

117

728

Precipitation

The uranium is washed and dried to produce yellowcake, ready for packaging and shipping.

159

645

Drying and Packaging

When uranium production ends, the water quality of the affected aquifer must be restored to levels defined by regulatory standards.

254

714

Groundwater Restoration

Liquid waste generated in the ISR process is transported to regulated, deep waste disposal wells.

560

Waste Management

When reclamation is complete, there is very little evidence that a commercial operation ever existed on the site.

300

632

Wellfield Reclamation

Interactive Tour

In-Situ Recovery (ISR) of Uranium

Explore the cutaway illustration below to learn more about the ISR process.

Cautionary Note to Investors