The
flow to the leach circuit is shown in the *.dwf image in AutoDesk Design Review below.
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The flow to the leach circuit consists of
ground ore from the
sagmill. At the Sweetwater Mill the slurry is treated in rubber
lined steel leach tanks with steam, sodium chlorate, and sulfuric
acid to dissolve the uranium. The dissolving of the uranium is
a slow process and the design of the ten (10) leach tanks is such
that the slurry will be agitated in the tanks for 12 to 16 hours
before being pumped to the counter-current
decantation circuit . Each of these ten (10) steel tanks is
rubber lined and measures 22 feet 9 inches in diameter and 22
feet high. Not all uranium mills use rubber lined steel leach
tanks. The Shootaring Canyon (Tickaboo) Mill, for example, uses
wood stave leach tanks.