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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Acid pre-treatment method for in situ ore leaching

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4031010

An acid leaching method is described for the recovery of a desired element from a subterranean rubblized body of primary ore containing the element and also having associated therewith a carbonate mineral wherein the rubblized ore body is flooded with an aqueous acidic solution in order to release carbon dioxide from the associated carbonate mineral. After a substantial portion of the available carbon dioxide is released and removed from the ore body, as by venting to the atmosphere, an oxidizing gas is introduced into the flooded, rubblized ore to oxidize the ore and form an acid leach solution effective in the presence of the dissolved oxidizing gas to dissolve the ore and cause the desired element to go into solution. The leach solution is then circulated to the surface where the metal values are recovered therefrom.

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-33-025401
Assignee:
to U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration
Patent Number(s):
US 3915499; PAT-APPL-491,081.
OSTI ID:
4031010
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English