Hydraulic fracturing of ore bodies
US6123394A · kind A · utility
88Cited by
3References
13Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 1, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 26, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 1, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21C37/12
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of mining that makes use of hydraulic fracturing. The method comprises fracturing an ore body hydraulically by introducing fluid rapidly into a bore or fissure in the ore body such that pressure in the bore or fissure builds up rapidly and it fractures the surrounding ore body. This enables the surrounding ore body to cave into a suitable space such as an undercut from which the ore can then be recovered. The method is particularly useful in block caving as a replacement for explosives.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.