US 9,752,207 B2 · Systems and methods for recovery of metals and components

Abstract

In embodiments, an aqueous solution containing lixiviants and/or other chemicals and/or reagents may be delivered into the well through one or more conduits or pipes. The chemicals in the aqueous solution may further be mixed together and/or with other ingredients. The solution may thereafter be screened and delivered by being pumped to pressures required for delivery of the solution from a perforated well, deep into a heap leach pad to leach, re-leach, and/or rinse extracted components of interest, such as metals for recovery. The delivery method may open or stimulate new fluid pathways or channels by lifting and mobilizing materials in the heap, thereby creating new channels, and allowing fluid to travel substantially horizontally through the heap to interface with inventory metal for recovery. The system may include a mobile platform assembled near or at the vicinity of the injection well.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A method for recovering a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process, comprising:

reviewing a material stacking and heap leaching history for the collection to identify one or more zones in the collection for treatment;
transporting a barren solution for leaching treatment of a zone among the one or more zones through a manifold to a mobile platform containing an inline mixer and a pump;
pumping the barren solution from the mobile platform into a tree section connected to a well head of a well drilled into the collection above the zone, wherein a downwell section installed into the well from a well head includes a drill casing having one or more perforated casing sections, a drill pipe having a perforated pipe section configured to be positioned relative to the perforated casing section, and an isolation mechanism configured to seal the drill casing above and below the perforated casing section;
isolating flow of the barren solution pumped into the tree section, through the well head, down the drill pipe, through the perforated pipe section and through the perforated casing section into the zone;
and
lifting and mobilizing some of the materials within the zone of the collection with the barren solution pumped into the zone to create a plurality of substantially horizontal channels within the zone through which the barren solution flows to stimulate and dissolve the target material for collection from the collection pad.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Systems and methods for recovery of metals and components

Life of this patent

Systems and methods for recovery of metals and components

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims18