FIVE Mineralogy:
Five uranium-bearing minerals were identified in the Ivana deposit samples sent to SRC for QEMSCAN® mineralogical analysis. Three of these are conventional known uranium ore minerals: carnotite (which also contains vanadium), liebigite and tyuyamunite. The other two uranium-bearing species are unconventional and have not been previously reported. One of these superficially resembles coffinite but has a different U/Si ratio and contains uranium in the oxidized +6 valence state. The other resembles a clay mineral containing tightly-bound uranium in the reduced state.
To date, carnotite is the sole vanadium mineral identified. More QEMSCAN® mineralogical testing will be done as part of future tests to optimize the process parameters.
https://blueskyuranium.com/news-releases/blue-sky-uranium-reports-positive-metallurgical-testwork-results-for-its-ivana-uranium-vanadium-deposit-argentina/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 kinds of uranium identified.
But... only carnotite identified ?
Or.... only carnotite is targeted ?
carnotite, radioactive, bright-yellow, soft and earthy vanadium mineral that is an important source of uranium. A hydrated potassium uranyl vanadate, K2(UO2)2(VO4)2·3H2O, pure carnotite contains about 53 percent uranium, 12 percent vanadium, and trace amounts of radium. Potassium / Uranium / Vanadium / Salt
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Extraction points to -----------> scrubbing the
yellow uranyl salt loose to leach. Alkaline Leach Tests:
Six leach tests were performed with sodium carbonate (Na
2CO
3)/bicarbonate (NaHCO
3) on Leach Feed Concentrate using a range of conditions to determine optimized parameters.
Logic ?
Yellow uranium salt is seen atop ore bearing rock.
Scubbing practice only used.
If the uranyl has precipitated from rock ore and manefested as yellow salt....
Then... would not the " ore specimen " contain all the more uranium not yet converted
to salt ?
Scrubbing to capture yellow uranyl salt is ideal for 1 st leach phase.
Grab the easy uranium.
5 types of uranium were identified...
But only carnotite saught...
Would it not make sense to grind the remaining ores to seek the oxide or
sulphide uranium that produces the yellow salt when in contact with K ? Interedtingly...
Sulphide flotation was averted in metallurgy
Flotation Test:
Sulphide minerals such as pyrite (FeS2) in the leach feed will degrade alkaline leach performance
https://blueskyuranium.com/news-releases/blue-sky-uranium-reports-positive-metallurgical-testwork-results-for-its-ivana-uranium-vanadium-deposit-argentina/ Press Aug. 20, 2024 The isotopic technique uses geochemical analysis of soils to detect uranium at depth based on its natural decay into specific lead isotopes detectable in surface samples, a method that has been
successfully demonstrated in other uranium districts.
https://ceo.ca/@newswire/blue-sky-uranium-provides-update-on-activities-and
Sounds like lead is a key indicator related to.... Argentine uranium.
Lead oxide / sulphide / carbonate
Could even be hosted in the vanadium.
If uranyl salt is only scrubbed and leached from off the ore... = what if the uranium was paired with the vanadium ? = one would have to grind vanadium to fine mesh then perform acid leach. = if potassium is present = an alkai acid would respond to fine mesh vanadium - capture more uranium. = metallury link above only speaks about the carnotite = nothing about vanadium metallurgy tests = i'd do a double take on the vanadium and other ore constituents ( fine grind / leach ) My Thoughts... If a potassium uranyl is precipitating on or with in ore body,
makes sense to scrub and leach the uranium salt but would be great if they
ground the ore in which the salt it crusted on to see if there's a parent uranium which
precipitated the uranium salt.
Just saying. Could be a quick way to increase grades / resourse size.
Exapanding above photo in new window ( from blue sky website ) i'm seeing - dark green, light green, yellow. ( uranium colors )
And of course - greys. ( potential uranite )
Post is meant to help junior.
Cheers...