In situ leach mining using electrical reservoir stimulation
AssigneeEden GeoPower, Inc.
InventorsWilliam Aertker, Vikas Agrawal, Jonas Toupal, Rafael Villamor-Lora
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Abstract
An electrical reservoir stimulation enhanced in situ leach mining system includes a plurality of wells in communication with an ore body. The wells include one or more injection wells and one or more extraction wells and at least two of the wells include electrodes. A power distribution system electrically stimulates the ore body via the electrodes to increase permeability of the ore body and/or enhance leaching operations.
Claims30
A method of conducting in situ leach mining, comprising:
- injecting a leaching solution into an ore body, wherein the ore body comprises a mineral;
- electrically stimulating the ore body by delivering electrical power through the ore body between a first electrode and a second electrode to generate fractures in the ore body and increase a permeability of the ore body;
- and
- dissolving and/or desorbing the mineral in the leaching solution.
A system for in situ leach mining, comprising:
- an injection well configured to inject a leaching solution into an ore body, wherein the ore body comprises a mineral, wherein the mineral is soluble in the leaching solution and/or the leaching solution is capable of desorbing the mineral;
- an extraction well adjacent the injection well;
- a first electrode electrically associated with the ore body and positioned within the injection well;
- a second electrode electrically associated with the ore body and positioned within the extraction well;
- and
- a power distribution system electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to electrically stimulate the ore body to generate fractures in the ore body.
A method of conducting in situ leach mining, comprising:
- electrically stimulating an ore body by delivering electrical power through the ore body between a first electrode and a second electrode;
- wherein electrically stimulating the ore body generates fractures in the ore body preferentially along grain boundaries and increases a permeability of the ore body.
A system for in situ leach mining, comprising:
- a first electrode electrically associated with an ore body and positioned within a first well;
- a second electrode electrically associated with the ore body and positioned within a second well;
- and
- a power distribution system electrically connected to the first and second electrodes and configured to electrically stimulate the ore body to generate fractures in the ore body preferentially along grain boundaries.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.