Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a pervasive issue for mining operations worldwide. Characterized by elevated concentrations of heavy metals dissolved in its acidic medium, AMD effluent poses a significant environmental threat. In this research, AMD leachate from uranium mines is specifically targeted for the metal's toxicity, as well as for the potential development of additional remediation techniques. The AMD effluent from a typical uranium mine was modeled in the laboratory by creating a pH 3.0 sulfuric acid solution containing uranyl and various metal ions. This solution was then contacted with a series of polymer-supported, aminophosphate complexants. Affinity and selectivity of these resins for uranyl was studied by contacting them with the AMD effluent model and individual metal ion solutions.

Selectivity studies of ion-exchange resins for uranium recovery from acid mine drainage effluents

248th National Meeting (2014)

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