Thoughts about the groundwater restoration of in-situ leaching uranium mining in China

In-situ leaching is the main technologies for natural uranium production in China, which some chemical reagents are injected into ore-bearing aquifers. The residual leaching solution after mining of the ore deposit will inevitably pollute the groundwater, causing environmental risks. Therefore, groundwater restoration is necessary. Considering the existing problems in groundwater restoration of in-situ leaching uranium mining, this paper systematically summarizes the groundwater features at decommissioned well field of in-situ leaching uranium mining, compares the distribution and concentrations of groundwater pollutants between acid leaching and neutral leaching, investigates the method for determining groundwater restoration target value and proposes a corresponding method for in-situ leaching mining in China. Moreover, discusses the advantages, disadvantages and application of groundwater restoration technologies of in-situ leaching mining worldwide. And elaborates the direction of groundwater restoration technology basing on the characteristics of in-situ leaching uranium mining in China. Furthermore, the periods of groundwater restoration are summarized, and the timing of groundwater restoration of in-situ leaching uranium mining is also presented. The insights on groundwater restoration issues in this paper suggests further research direction, aiming at providing reference for restoration technology research and policy developing for groundwater restoration of in-situ leaching uranium mining in China.