IN-SITU BIOLEACHING IN CRYSTALINE ROCKFORMATIONS: COMPARISON OF CONDITIONING METHODS FOR ENHANCED PERMEABILITY

摘要

The global mining industry is facing increasing challenges in terms of geological, technological and social aspects. Potential exploitation of deposits shows a tendency to increasing depth with complex ores and decreasing grades. A promising approach to deal with these constrains is by applying alternative extraction methods like (bio-)hydrometallurgy as in-situ leaching (ISL) technology.The Bergakademie Freiberg University of Mining and Technology established the "Biohydrometallurgical Center for strategic Elements" (BHMZ) to foster the interdisciplinary research along the entire biohydrometallurgical process chain to extract indium from sulfide ores. The involved Department of Underground Mining Methods deals with the design and implementation of a pilot-scale underground testing facility for microbial in-situ stope leaching in its "Research and Educational Mine". This paper discusses the potential of in-situ bioleaching under technological aspects. In addition, different conditioning approaches based on hydraulic and explosive methods for enhanced permeability in the formation are introduced and the gathered data will be presened.