In-situ mining of copper and nickel
US4045084A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 20, 1976 |
| Grant date | Aug 30, 1977 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 1996 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/28
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process is disclosed for in-situ mining of copper from a subterranean ore body characterized, at least in part, by the presence of a sulfidic ore and by natural, microscopic fracture openings. The process comprises forcing a stable, two-phase lixiviant comprising an aqueous phase, a multiplicity of gaseous, oxygen-containing bubbles having a size sufficient to pass through the natural fracture openings in the ore body, and a surfactant for enhancing the formation of the bubbles and for minimizing bubble coalescence through the ore body to leach copper. The aqueous and gaseous phases of the lixiviant are mixed at the surface and injected into the leaching interval through an injection hole, or preferably, are mixed in a subterranean sparger within the hole above the leaching interval. The pregnant liquor is recovered through one or more production holes and, after the copper is recovered, the lixiviant may be reconstituted and recirculated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.