METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RECOVERING METAL VALUES FROM DEEP-LYING ORES BY IN-SITU MINING

摘要

K-0489-KCCABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSUREA process for recovering copper, nickel, and othermetal values from deep-lying ore deposits by in-situmining comprises forcing an ammoniacal leach solutioncontaining oxygen bubbles under high pressure throughan injection hole into a leaching interval of a deep-lying ore deposit.The two-phase leach solution under high pressure(more than 500 psi) penetrates the deposit through cracks,fissures and fractures, leaching the metal values alongthe way. The leaching solution migrates over a periodof time to receiving holes spaced from the injection holeand from which pregnant leaching solution is withdrawn.The pregnant solution is then processed for recovery ofthe metal values.The two-phase leach solution is formed in a gassparging unit comprising porous sintered powered metaltubes into which gas is introduced as minute bubbleswhich become intermixed with the ammoniacal leach solu-tion flowing through the tubes.