Systems and methods for recovery of metals and components

摘要

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.

主权项

1. A system for recovery of a target material from a collection of materials over a collection pad through a leaching process, comprising:
a manifold configured to transport a barren solution for treatment of a zone within the collection containing the target material and to transport and combine the barren solution with one or more chemicals to form a treatment solution; a mobile platform configured to receive the treatment solution from the manifold, mix the treatment solution and pump the treatment solution into a tree section configured to be connected to the mobile platform and connected to a well head of a well drilled into the collection above the zone; and a downwell section configured to be installed into the well from the well head including a drill casing having one or more perforated sections, a drill pipe having a perforated pipe section configured to be inserted into the drill casing and to position the perforated pipe section relative to one of the perforated sections, and an isolation mechanism configured to seal the drill casing above and below the perforated section so as isolate the flow of treatment solution pumped into the tree section, through the well head, down the drill pipe, through the perforated section and through the perforated casing section into the zone so as to lift and mobilize some of the materials within the zone of the collection so as to create a plurality of substantially horizontal channels within the zone through which the treatment solution flows to change the chemistry of the materials and/or dissolve the target material for collection from the collection pad.