Characterisation and dissolution studies on the uranium mineral betafite

The uranium mineral betafite, which is found in various uranium ore bodies around the world, could be an important future source of uranium for the production of nuclear fuel. Very few published studies on either characterisation or dissolution have however been conducted on this mineral, which is found in nature with varying composition, and commonly described using the chemical formula (Ca,U)2(Ti,Nb,Ta)2O6OH. In this study characterisation and dissolution tests were conducted on a concentrated betafite sample that had been collected from the Ambatofotsky region in Madagascar. The characteristics of this sample were investigated using the following techniques: X-ray diffraction analysis (including in-situ high temperature XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy - Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis and elemental composition analysis (Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry). The results of the aforementioned analyses showed that the sample as received consisted of mostly amorphous betafite. HT-XRD results showed the annealed sample also contained another uranium mineral, studtite as well as niobium rich rutile and various other titanium oxides. Dissolution studies on the concentrated betafite sample involved investigating the influence of multiple parameters on the rate of uranium dissolution. Parameters that were investigated included; acid concentration, temperature, and total iron concentration.