In situ exploitation of deep set porphyry ores
Disclosed is a method of economically exploiting deep set porphyry ore bodies of the type containing metal values such as sulfidic copper, nickel, or uranium minerals and minerals capable of absorbing copper, uranium, and nickel ions. The method involves establishing communication with the ore body through access and recovery wells and passing fluids sequentially therethrough. If necessary, thief zones of as low as 25 to 50 md in igneous rock of 1 to 5 md are prevented from distorting flow, by the injection of a polymeric solution of macromolecules with molecular weights of the order of 5 million along the entire wellbore, the higher permeability zones initially accepting the majority of the flow and being impaired at a much faster rate than the less permeable zones. In a first stage, the permeability of the leaching interval is stimulated as an ammoniated solution of sodium, potassium, or ammonium nitrate or chloride contacts calcium containing minerals to promote ion exchange, resulting in clay contraction or calcium carbonate dissolution. In a second stage, the leaching interval is primed as calcium ion is displaced with an aqueous solution of ammonium salt, a calcium sulfate scale inhibitor, and oxygen gas. In a third stage, a two-phase lixiviant comprising entrained oxygen containing bubbles and an ammoniacal leach liquor having a pH less than 10.5 and less than 1.0 mole/liter ammonia is passed through the leaching interval to solubilize copper, nickel, uranium, and other metal values.
- Assignee:
- Kennecott Corp
- Patent Number(s):
- US 4291920
- Application Number:
- TRN: 82-004096
- OSTI ID:
- 5859424
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: Filed date 30 Apr 1980; Other Information: PAT-APPL-145379
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
URANIUM ORES
LEACHING
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
COPPER ORES
IN-SITU PROCESSING
INJECTION WELLS
ION EXCHANGE
MINERAL RESOURCES
MINING
NICKEL ORES
OXYGEN
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
NONMETALS
ORES
PROCESSING
RESOURCES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WELLS
050400* - Nuclear Fuels- Feed Processing