In-Situ Leach Mining Method and Apparatus

摘要

The invention is a method with its associated apparatus of in situ leach mining in which a single well head is used to inject the leaching solution and also to recover the minerals contained in the recoverable leaching solution. The well head has a main generally vertical well and a plurality of interacting branch wells that are drilled to extend outwardly therefrom at an angle of say 2 to 60 degrees to the main well. Extending down the main well is a central conduit which receives the recoverable leaching solution and minerals. A submersible pump at the lower end of the conduit may be placed within the conduit near the mineral ore zone. A packer is placed between the pump and the branch wells around and outside of the main conduit to prevent the flow of solution pass it. The outer ends of each of the branch wells extend into the ore zone and provide for the injection of the leaching solution thereto from the surface down the main well outside of its conduit. After the solution has been forced into the ore zone, a negative pressure is built up by the pump to cause the recoverable solution and minerals to be forced to the vertical well, and finally the solution is pumped to the surface via the conduit (drop pipe).