Abstract

A method of horizontal directional drilling is provided. The proposed method utilizes directional drilling in which boreholes are arranged in a pattern such that the surface area of extraction is maximized. The pattern can be achieved using a vertical borehole, multiple lateral boreholes and multiple subsidiary portions of the lateral boreholes. A lateral borehole is drilled extending beyond a vertical borehole towards the orebody, from which a subsidiary borehole is drilled into the orebody. Once the extraction is complete, the subsidiary borehole is back filled. A new subsidiary borehole is drilled extending beyond the lateral borehole and adjacent to the first subsidiary borehole. The subsidiary boreholes are planned to form a honeycomb or direct stacked pattern. Once all extraction is complete from a lateral borehole and its subsidiary boreholes, a new lateral borehole is drilled from the vertical borehole and the process is repeated.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21C 41/22 - Methods of underground mining; Layouts therefor for ores, e.g. mining placers
• E21B 43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells
• E21B 7/04 - Directional drilling

Abstract

A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ ion exchange step during processing is also described.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 36/00 - Heating, cooling, or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
• E21B 43/22 - Use of chemicals or bacterial activity
• E21B 43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well

Abstract

A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ion exchange step during processing is also described.

IPC Classes  ?

• E02D 19/14 - Restraining of underground water by damming or interrupting the passage of underground water by freezing the soil
• C22B 3/04 - Extraction of metal compounds from ores or concentrates by wet processes by leaching
• C22B 60/02 - Obtaining thorium, uranium or other actinides
• E21B 43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells
• E21B 43/28 - Dissolving minerals other than hydrocarbons, e.g. by an alkaline or acid leaching agent
• E21B 36/00 - Heating, cooling, or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
• C01G 43/025 - Uranium dioxide

Abstract

A method and system are provided for the creation of vertical and horizontal freeze wells, in a dome-like pattern around the ore body, as a hydraulic barrier to ensure the ISR mining solution and the mined minerals do not flow out of the ore body. A method to formulate a suitable mining solution used for ISR mining, where the lixivant does not freeze when using the freeze dome containment method and where the resulting PLS has a high concentration of dissolved minerals and thus eliminates the need for the solvent extraction/ ion exchange step during processing is also described.

IPC Classes  ?

• E21B 36/00 - Heating, cooling, or insulating arrangements for boreholes or wells, e.g. for use in permafrost zones
• E21B 43/22 - Use of chemicals or bacterial activity
• E21B 43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimizing the spacing of wells
• E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well