chemical element uranium is widely distributed in the nature of the Earth.We know that it is in the sea water (3 g / L), is present in the layer of the lithosphere (1.3 × 1014 m).The main part of it is in sedimentary rocks, acidic soils rich in silicon.Impurities found in rare earth minerals, thorium rocks.
in Russia "main" uranium species are the following: naturstan (also often referred to as uraninite and pitchblende) carnotite.They differ only in their origin.Naturstan volcanic more common in rocks formed in the Paleozoic era and subsequent periods after him.Uraninite often found in the rocks of the Precambrian period, uranium mob, which also mined uranium, very young: they originated in the Cenozoic sedimentary soils or other, even younger, period.
This chemic element fairly evenly distributed throughout the Earth, so there are uranium mines in 25 countries.The basic amount (almost 30%) it is produced in Canada and Australia (22%), Africa (19%).According to statistical data, the uranium mines Russia supplies about 6% of this element, mined worldwide.
Each uranium deposit is estimated by specific criteria.
- Open inventory.These include identifying the resources that lie in areas with proven reserves of uranium and favorable conditions for its development.
- reserves of uranium in the ground.This assessment is carried out in a pure form, without losses that inevitably arise when developed uranium springs.
- recoverable reserves.Under them understand the specific amount of this element extracted in the mines, regardless of its reserves in the ground.
- initial proven reserves, representing the amount of uranium mined and explored.
It should be noted that the estimate of uranium reserves in Russia is produced by other principles.It considers not only the richness of uranium ore, but also the costs that will have to incur during its production.It is therefore considered that the uranium mines can relate to very different resource projections.Among them, C1, P3 + C1 etc.
Soviet uranium mines were in areas that have now become part of other states.
- In Ukraine, it was mined (and mined today) in Kirovograd, Pobuzhsky areas.They work in the uranium mines Vatutinsky, Michurinskom, Day, Zheltorechenskom and other areas.In Ukraine today operates 12 fields.
- uranium mines in the Soviet Union were on the territory of Kazakhstan.Today it is mined there in the Chu-Sarysu uranium ore province, Zhambyl Oblast, and other areas.
- Tajikistan still operating uranium mines in Tashkent and Leninabad regions, but mining them unprofitable.
- mines in Uzbekistan are Uchkuduk, Kendyktyube, Lyavlyakane and Tohumbete.
- In Russia uranium is also extracted in the Stavropol Territory (Lermontov), Lovozero tundra, on Lake Onega, the Kola Peninsula.
Today only proven reserves of this chemical element in Russia is 615 thousand tons, and the projected production is close to 830 thousand tons.However, a significant part of the deposits to be developed, located in remote areas.
15 of the 16 known deposits in Russia are located in the Trans-Baikal (Chita region, Streltsovskoye, Birch, Argun and Zherlovoye field).To work here can only mining method.
large deposit (Elkon), located in Yakutia.
explored uranium reserves in the West Siberian District, in the Vitim, in the coastal zone of the Okhotsk Sea and Lake Ladoga.These areas suggest a promising production.
Uranium is used not only in the nuclear industry or military affairs.In geology, with its help determine the age of rocks.In glass production is added to glass to give it a yellow or green fluorescent stain, stained porcelain uranium compounds.
