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

A method for grinding or comminuting a metal-containing ore, substrate, mine-waste, or radioactive waste, comprising the steps of:

• a. adding the metal-containing ore, substrate, mine-waste, or radioactive waste to an apparatus comprising;
• i. a container comprising inner walls that define an open end and a closed end for the container, and a lumen for retaining the ore, substrate, mine-waste or radioactive waste, with two or more elongate ribs projecting inwardly from the walls and extending from the closed end towards the open end of the container;
• ii. a powered, rotatable spindle extending into and axially aligned with the container, substantially equidistant from side walls of the inner walls of the container;
• iii. 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
• iv. a motor to drive axial rotation of the spindle and attached grinding arms within the container;
• b. optionally adding a grinding media;
• and
• c. applying power to the motor thereby to rotate the spindle and attached grinding arms, to grind or comminute the metal-containing ore, substrate, mine-waste, or radioactive waste;
• wherein step a., and optional step b. if present, may be performed in any order.