The new technique is expected increase extraction by about 15%, equal to 1000 tonnes, or about A$108m per year worth of annual uranium exports for Australia.
If applied, the method is claimed to give results for mining firms within two to three years.
Murdoch University PhD candidate Rorie Gilligan said: "By gaining a better understanding of the chemical processes involved in leaching brannerite, we’ve found a mechanism that works under relatively mild conditions, without the need for high acid concentrations or extreme heats."
The research is being carried out as part of an ongoing project at Murdoch’s School of Engineering and Information Technology headed by Dr Aleks Nikoloski.
Australia is the world’s third-largest uranium producer and the finding is expected to benefit explorers at large uranium deposits in Mount Isa, Queensland and Crocker Well, South Australia.
The project is also attracting interest from global uranium mining countries including China, Russia and Canada.
