Recovery of uranium from low-grade ore using microorganism isolated from uraniferous rock sample

ABSTRACTBioleaching, in the scope of biotechnology, is one of the promising technologies, which can be utilized for extracting valuable radioactive metal (uranium) from other radioactive ones. Also, it considered as an economical way to recover uranium from low-grade ores after the depletion of high grade uranium deposits. The aim of the work is to explore the formation and composition of the bioprecipitate from low-grade uraniferous rock sample through the bioleaching process using fungi. Furthermore, to identify the radionuclides distribution during work stages using the Hyper Pure Germanium detector. The results showed that; Aspergillus niger accomplished 71.4% of uranium recovery, as well as, formation of stable organo-uranyl complex. The obtained bioprecipitate, composed of ″uranyl acetate hydrate,″ asserted that the uranium is nearly free from other radionuclides present in the original sample without any subsequent purification processes, whereas could not achieved by the conventional process of ur...