METHOD FOR SUBTERRANEAN LEACHING OF OXIDISED NICKEL-COBALT ORES

摘要

A method for the subterranean leaching of oxidised nickel-cobalt ores relates to the field of geology and can be used in the geological extraction of non-ferrous metals. A deposit is divided into ore blocks which are developed consecutively. The ore body is opened using a system of injection and production openings. The production and injection openings are situated transversely to the movement of the groundwater. A leaching solution is fed into the injection openings. A production solution is lifted via the production openings and processed. The pump extraction of the nickel-cobalt-containing solution is carried out in a range of pH values not less than 3.0, thus making it possible to ensure the sedimentation of ballast impurities, primarily ions of iron and aluminium, entrained in the solution during subterranean leaching, thus making it possible to reduce the cost of the in-situ leaching of nickel-cobalt ores and improve the environmental situation at the area of operations.