AbstractsEarth & Environmental Science

"Carnotite ore is a source of radium and it is the recovery of this element which is chiefly sought in its treatment. The radium results from the radioactive disintegration of uranium which is one of the constituents of the yellow mineral carnotite. The ores are largely low grade. Higher grade pockets occur scattered in the deposits and because of their irregular occurrence are not easily located. The larger low grade deposits which are more easily accessible contain considerable quantities of calcium carbonate and oxide minerals. These cause a high consumption of the acid used in the chemical treatment of the ore. The complexity of the treatment, the high acid loss, the small quantity of uranium and vanadium, and the extremely minute quantity of radium are factors which militate against a cheap and successful extraction. With these factors in mind the general characteristics of the ore were studied" – Introduction, p. 1.