干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

In a previous study, the occurrence and mineralogy of unique highly radioactive fluorite-rich granites from El-Missikat uranium occurrence was discussed. The uranium content of the bulk composite sample collected from the studied fluorite - bearing granites equal 1950 ppm. The presence of uranium element in the core of fluorite is quite evident. The fluorite crystals are mainly responsible for the radioactivity in the granitic samples. Microscopic examination for the accessory heavy minerals revealed that radioactive fluorite represents about 20% by weight of the original rock sample. Also, radioactive fluorite represents about 90% of the total accessory heavy minerals in addition to iron oxides and mica (fluoro-phlogopite). Physical upgrading of radioactive fluorite was carried out using gravitative and magnetic separation techniques. Under optimum conditions it was possible to attain a good concentrate with an acceptable recovery. Accordingly, the final concentrate contains up to 1.0274% U with a final recovery of 79.29% in a weight of 15.05% out of the original sample assays 0.1950% U.