Mine waters of the flooded uranium deposit in Olší

Abstract

After abandonment of underground uranium mines, it is necessary to ensure the safe use of mine waters accumulated in flooded mines, because they contain uranium, radium and other contaminants in high concentrations and may thus, in the case of uncontrollable release from flooded mines, endanger their surrounding environment. On the other hand, with regard to their considerable volume, these mine waters represent a secondary source of uranium. In this paper the author reports on the use of mine waters after mining operations in the Olší deposit were finished and on methods of mine water treatment. He also deals with the possibilities of producing uranium as a secondary product in the course of mine water treatment.