“Smart field” of in situ leach uranium mining

The digital solution “Smart ISL field” is designed to improve efficiency of uranium mining by in-situ leaching (ISL). The digital solution implements the control technology based on the automatic data collection and remote control of operation of technological objects, complex analysis of geological and technological data, geological and geotechnological modeling of the mining field, the use of expert systems to support decision-making. “Smart ISL field” was put into commercial operation at the pilot extraction block of the Vershinnoe uranium deposit. The digital solution has a hierarchical fourlevel structure. The first field control level contains sensors and actuators. The second level includes programmable controllers and regulators located in the control station of the technological unit. At the third dispatching control level, there is a computer-based control and data collection system. The fourth level of management consists of modeling and expert information systems. The digital solution “Smart ISL field” includes automatic, operational and tactical control loops. The digital technologies used in the “Smart ISL field” contribute to the improvement of operating conditions and increase labor productivity, ensure the prompt receipt and processing of information about the operation of the mining field, allow faster and more efficient optimization of the geotechnology. The optimized patterns of flow of process solutions enable intensification of the extraction of uranium, as well as a decrease in dilution of the process solutions with reservoir waters and the discharge of process solutions beyond the extraction block boundary. As a result, high rates of uranium mining and a decrease in specific consumption of reagents are achieved. The digital solution “Smart ISL field” is a part of the import substitution program of ARMZ Uranium Holding Co., and the relevant software is registered with Rospatent.The authors appreciate participation of National Research Nuclear University MEPHI’s members A. D. Istomin, A, A, Cheglakov and Khiagda’s member V. V. Stebakov in this article preparation.