摘要
In 2006, SOMAIR decided to increase the uranium production by 50% using heap leaching for the treatment of low grade ores. These ores, which come from different lodes with various properties, have been studied in four steps： （ 1 ） Lab tests： to compare the ores （characterization, acid consumptions, recovery...）; （2） Column tests on an average sample： to define significant parameters for a feasibility study; （3） Column tests on specific samples： to optimize recovery for each ore and identify problems of percolation due to the clays; （4） Pilot tests in large boxes （stalls）： to validate process parameters. Uranium production by heap leaching started in July 2009.
