Combined grinding and leaching apparatus for ores and wastes and methods of use thereof

An apparatus for grinding or comminuting a metal-containing ore, substrate, mine waste, or radioactive waste, the apparatus comprising:

• a. a container comprising inner walls that define an open end and a closed end for the container, and a lumen for retaining the ore, with two or more elongate ribs projecting inwardly from the walls and extending from the closed end towards the open end of the container;
• b. a powered, rotatable spindle extending into and axially aligned with the container, substantially equidistant from side walls of the inner walls of the container;
• c. a plurality of grinding arms arranged about and extending from the spindle such that each comprises at least one free end that passes with a clearance of from 0.01 mm to 20 mm from each of the ribs on the inner walls of the container, as the spindle is rotated;
• and
• d. a motor to drive axial rotation of the spindle and attached grinding arms within the container,
• wherein the apparatus grinds or comminutes the metal-containing ore, substrate or mine waste by grinding and attrition, optionally absent grinding media.