What term describes the chemical extraction of uranium from ore?

What term describes the chemical extraction of uranium from ore?

• A. Leaching
• B. Distillation
• C. Crystallization
• D. Filtration

Answer: (A)

Leaching is the chemical extraction method that uses a solvent to dissolve the uranium-bearing minerals from the ore. In uranium mining, the ore is treated with an appropriate acidic or alkaline solution that dissolves uranium compounds, turning the solid rock into a uranium-containing liquid that can then be processed to recover the metal. This differs from distillation, which relies on boiling and vaporizing components to separate them; crystallization, which forms solid crystals from a solution as it concentrates or cools; and filtration, which is a physical separation that removes solids from liquids without dissolving the target mineral.

Leaching is the chemical extraction method that uses a solvent to dissolve the uranium-bearing minerals from the ore. In uranium mining, the ore is treated with an appropriate acidic or alkaline solution that dissolves uranium compounds, turning the solid rock into a uranium-containing liquid that can then be processed to recover the metal. This differs from distillation, which relies on boiling and vaporizing components to separate them; crystallization, which forms solid crystals from a solution as it concentrates or cools; and filtration, which is a physical separation that removes solids from liquids without dissolving the target mineral.