Method for separating hydrocarbons and use of molten salt

A method for separating hydrocarbons, from a material comprising mineral solids comprising hydrocarbons, the method comprising at least the steps of

• (a) bringing a liquid phase comprising a reversible molten salt, in contact with the mineral solids and extracting hydrocarbons to the liquid phase from the mineral solids in a two-phase system consisting of one solid phase and one liquid phase;
• (b) separating the mineral solids phase from the liquid phase, which comprises molten salt and hydrocarbons;
• (c) separating hydrocarbons from the liquid phase comprising molten salt;
• and
• (d) recycling the liquid phase comprising molten salt to step (a),
• wherein the reversible molten salt is a reversible ionic liquid having a vapour pressure about 10−10 Pa at room temperature but can be converted into a form having vapour pressure >0.1 Pa at 130° C. and the hydrocarbon is selected from the group consisting of crude bitumen, heavy crude oil and combination thereof.