Characterization and optimized upgrading for kasolite in the mineralized lamprophyre dyke, Abu Rusheid Area, Southern Eastern Desert, Egypt

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 60; no. 12; pp. 1614 - 1629
• Main Authors: Fawzy, Mona M., Saleh, Gehad M., Kamar, Mohamed S., Maged, Ali, Fathy, Mai M., Kharbish, Sherif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Taylor & Francis 13.08.2025
• Subjects: Abu Rusheid area; centrifugal concentration; gravity concentration; kasolite; lamprophyre dykes; magnetic separation; Uranium
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2025.2512360

Uranium is a critical resource for Egypt's nuclear energy ambitions and its Vision 2030 clean energy goals. While conventional chemical leaching has dominated uranium extraction, its environmental drawbacks and inefficiency in processing low-grade, high-tonnage deposits underscore the need for sustainable alternatives. This study addresses this gap by exploring physical beneficiation techniques as an eco-friendly and efficient approach to upgrading uranium from complex deposits, a strategy that remains underexplored compared to chemical methods. Focusing on the lamprophyre dykes of Abu Rusheid - hosting an average uranium concentration of ~ 1253 ppm (1008-1530 ppm) primarily in kasolite (~0.3 wt.%) alongside fluorite and Cu-Zn-Pb-Mn mineralization - we employed advanced mineralogical characterization (XRD, SEM, XRF, FTIR) to guide selective beneficiation. The novelty of this work lies in the systematic integration of gravity and magnetic separation, demonstrating their combined potential for uranium recovery with minimal environmental impact. Shaking table concentration increased uranium grades from 414 ppm eU (feed) to 3259 ppm eU (concentrate) in the −500 + 53 µm fraction, while centrifugal processing enriched slimes (less than 53 µm) from 1752 ppm eU to 8748 ppm eU. Overall, these methods elevated uranium content from 1106 ppm eU (~0.3% kasolite) to 8641 ppm eU (~2.13% kasolite) at a 9.56% yield and 68.36% recovery. High-intensity magnetic separation further refined the concentrate to a 1.7% yield, highlighting its precision. These results establish a technically viable and environmentally responsible pathway for uranium extraction from low-grade deposits, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional leaching methods.