Process for solution mining underground evaporite ore formations such as trona
US5690390A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 19, 1996 |
| Grant date | Nov 25, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 19, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C41/16
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A process is described for solution mining isolated, mechanically mined-out areas of soluble evaporite ore to recover remaining ore reserves, wherein the mined-out areas are separated from an operational mine area by barrier pillars of the evaporite ore, by drilling at least one vertical well bore from the surface to a predefined distance above the evaporite ore body, converting the drilling of the vertical well bore to a substantially horizontal well bore at a predetermined distance below the ground level, continuing the drilling parallel to and within the evaporite ore body to form a well bore one end of which is connected to the mined-out area, developing a connection from the operating mine area to the other end of the well bore, drilling an injection well from the surface into the mined-out area, injecting an aqueous solvent into the injection well, passing the solvent into the mined-out area, removing solvent enriched in dissolved evaporite ore from the mined-out area, passing such enriched solvent from the mined-out area into the well bore connecting the mined-out area and the operational mine area, removing enriched solvent from the well bore end connected to the operationa…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.