Process for solution mining
US4630868A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 16, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 23, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 16, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/283
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
The present invention embodies an improved method for the in situ mining of low to impermeable minerals to sweep out sections of deposits beneath the surface of the earth. Practicing the method of the invention generally involves: locating, by exploration at depth, a mineral deposit suitable for in situ mining and drilling a well bore into that deposit; hydraulically fracturing that well bore utilizing a disintegrating solution to break up aggregate bonding, fully opening the formation, and, at the time of fracturing, by ground surface stress changes determining the principal fracture direction; from the determined fracture direction, locating at least one production well bore appropriately alongside the first well bore and fracturing that production well bore using a disintegrating solution, which solution, optionally, includes proppants therein; passing a leaching solution flow between the well bore and production well bore to dissolve appropriate minerals from the deposit; and drawing out, preferably through the production well bore, the pregnant leaching solution for further refining above ground.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.