Mining method for co-extraction of non-combustible ore and mine methane

A mining method for co-producing non-combustible ore and methane from an underground formation, said underground formation comprising at least one methane-bearing layer and an ore bed to be mined comprising non-combustible ore and having a roof above which rock material is present, the method comprising:

• drilling a least one well from the earth's surface towards the ore bed, said well having a downhole end positioned above the ore bed roof, said downhole end of the well not being in contact with the ore bed to be mined;
• providing at least an initial cavity into the formation, the initial cavity giving access to an initial working face of the ore bed to be mined;
• solution mining an ore region from the initial working face, said solution mining step comprising:
• injecting a solvent into the initial cavity to expose the initial working face in a manner effective to dissolve a desired mineral solute from the exposed ore, and to form a liquor comprising dissolved desired mineral solute, said dissolution being effective in forming a subsequent mined-out cavity and in advancing the initial working face to a subsequent working face,
• repeating the solvent injection and dissolution in a manner effective to enlarge the subsequent mined-out cavity by dissolving more of the desired mineral solute from the subsequent working face of the solvent-exposed ore, and
• removing the mined ore by flowing the liquor to the surface;
• allowing the caving of overburden ore and rock nibbles into the initial and subsequent mined-out cavities to form a gob and to fracture the at least one methane-bearing layer to release methane into the gob, and to further establish fluid communication between the gob and the downhole end of the well;
• and
• recovering a gob gas comprising released methane through the well to the surface.